Religious Leaders Hold Prayers at Ruins of Kimani Wamatangi Property After Overnight Demolition
Religious leaders were filmed conducting dramatic prayers at the ruins of Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s demolished property near Nyayo Stadium, just hours after heavy machinery flattened the business complex in an overnight operation.
In widely shared social media videos, preachers were seen standing amid piles of rubble, praying loudly and speaking in tongues, as they formed a loose circle around what remained of the site. Some clutched Bibles to their chests, while others raised their hands towards the sky, calling for divine intervention.
There were no microphones or podiums, only voices echoing across the debris-strewn ground where the governor’s car bazaar, car wash, restaurant and related facilities once stood.
The spiritual gathering followed a swift and tightly guarded demolition exercise, carried out under the supervision of armed police officers and supported by bulldozers that worked through the night. By morning, the once-bustling yard had been reduced to rubble.
Eyewitnesses said high-end vehicles, sports cars and rare models were crushed beneath tonnes of concrete and metal, as traders and employees watched in disbelief. Several business owners were left counting losses said to run into millions of shillings.
The demolition, which formed part of a land repossession exercise by Kenya Railways, caused significant disruption in the Nairobi West area, with sections of Douglas Wakiihuri Road blocked off as security officers restricted movement.
Wamatangi’s company had sought court protection only days earlier, arguing that the land had been legally leased to him for more than 20 years. Court filings reportedly claimed that officials issued verbal threats rather than formal written notices prior to the demolition — an allegation that has fuelled public anger and renewed debate over due process.
Residents and former workers expressed outrage, saying the sudden clearance had left dozens without jobs overnight.
Witnesses at the scene described heavy police presence, with some alleging that officers fired shots into the air to disperse crowds as the demolitions began. Others claimed that few, if any, official notices were served ahead of the operation.
The incident quickly sparked intense debate online, with Kenyans offering mixed reactions — some criticising the manner of the demolition, others questioning the circumstances surrounding the land ownership.
Reacting on Facebook, one user, Prince Raphael, wrote:
“The dance of a mad man is only funny when he is not your relative.”
Another, Cap Tohn, commented:
“In context, it’s clear. Demolitions rarely happen overnight without prior notices. Sometimes withheld information matters.”
Governor Wamatangi later visited the site and struck a calm but defiant tone, saying he was leaving the matter in God’s hands.
“This is a huge loss, but I trust God. They have done this to me, but I still have hands and brains,” Wamatangi said.
“Kenyans have seen my works, and for now I will not engage in political games.”
The demolition has since raised broader questions over land ownership disputes, enforcement procedures, and the human cost of overnight clearances, as affected traders and employees seek clarity on their next steps.
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Religious Leaders Hold Prayers at Ruins of Kimani Wamatangi Property After Overnight Demolition