The demolition of a business property linked to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi on Tuesday night has reignited debate over illegal developments on public land, following pointed remarks by political commentator David Oyola.
“The owner was given notice to vacate, including a court order, all the way during Sonko’s days as governor, but he ignored,” Oyola wrote.
“All his neighbours’ structures were brought down at the time. He refused to move,” he said.
Oyola noted that the demolition was not unprecedented.
“This is the third time it is being demolished, the last one being in 2019,” he stated, arguing that the latest operation was inevitable. “Railways came in the night to reclaim their land. Ndo hiyo amepata hasara,” he added.
The commentator also highlighted losses suffered by tenants operating within the property.
“There was a shop there stocked with alcohol worth millions. All of it is gone just like that,” Oyola said, claiming some tenants were still owed rent when the demolition occurred.
He questioned the responsibility of the property owner toward tenants, noting, “The owner may be lucky he is a public servant controlling billions, but he could have told tenants to remove their investments in good time.”