Kenya Railways Breaks Silence on Nyayo Stadium Demolitions — Here’s Why They Say It Had to Happen - Thika Town Today

The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has defended the demolition of several businesses near Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, saying the exercise is part of an ongoing land repossession programme aimed at improving transport ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the State corporation announced plans to construct a railway station adjacent to Nyayo National Stadium and develop a railway spur line linking Nairobi Central Station to Talanta Sports City Stadium. The proposed line is expected to pass through the Nyayo Stadium area and parts of Kibera, creating a direct rail connection between Nairobi’s key sporting venues during the tournament.

According to the corporation, the project is intended to ease movement of fans, athletes and officials expected in the country for AFCON 2027, which Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

They said that the demolitions were carried out after what it described as due process, insisting that all occupants who had encroached on the railway corridor were issued with advance notices to vacate to allow construction of the station and spur line.

“Kenya Railways is in the process of evicting all encroachers as we repossess all the land that has been identified for the above-mentioned development,” read part of the statement.

KRC further warned that any remaining structures found along the corridor would be removed without further notice.

“Therefore, take note that any illegal structures/property found on the corridor will be demolished and/or removed without further notice and at the encroacher’s risk and cost,” the statement added.

The demolition exercise has, however, sparked public debate, particularly after Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi visited the site and described the move as politically motivated.

Wamatangi claimed he has operated from the premises for decades and had legally leased the land from Kenya Railways.

“I started here in 1994 washing cars. Then I started selling cars. I have been here for years. When I took this premise, I took a 65-year lease for this property from Kenya Railways. I have been faithfully paying the fees for all those years,” he said.

Flanked by religious leaders during his visit, the governor questioned why the corporation proceeded with the demolition despite what he said was a court order stopping the planned exercise.

Reports indicate that Wamatangi had filed a petition at the Milimani Commercial Magistrates’ Courts seeking to block the demolition, arguing that the property had been leased from Kenya Railways for more than two decades.

He further claimed that officials acting on behalf of Kenya Railways visited the premises on December 17, 2025, and issued verbal threats of eviction, but did not provide any written notice.