Governor Wamatangi says he won’t be intimidated into surrendering Kiambu resources

Speaking in Thika Town during the commissioning of solar-powered streetlights and new hospital wards, Wamatangi maintained that he would not bow to intimidation or blackmail, insisting that his main priority is to deliver services to the people of Kiambu County.

“You can see how I am being pursued from all sides. There are numerous cases against me in court, and I have even faced gunfire at my home. They came and destroyed the business I established in Nairobi, just as many of you have done. Their intention is to intimidate me so that I can join their political camp and be considered a good person," Wamatangi stated. 

"Now they want someone else to become governor simply because I have remained silent. Do you want me to give up, or should I stand firm as a man and declare that I will not hand over resources or give bribes so that people can like me?” he posed. 

In January 2026, bulldozers demolished several properties, including a restaurant and car wash belonging to Governor Wamatangi, as well as other businesses such as liquor outlets and beauty salons, in an operation supervised by security officers who patrolled the area.

At the time, Wamatangi termed it as political persecution from his detractors.

"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 stated. 

Following the demolition, Kenya Railways defended the demolition, citing that it was a move to repossess the land to ease transport ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.