Last year, a video call of Nairobi governor Mike Sonko with his Kiambu counterpart Ferdinand Waititu went viral. In the conversation, Sonko tells Waititu about the release of his wife who had been arrested in the crackdown over the illegal structures in the city. Sonko however urged Waititu to approach him and get an approval for the structure his wife had put up in Westlands to avoid its demolition.
This year, while appearing in a televised interview, Sonko recalled how he used to smoke bhang with Waititu at Parliament building’s toilet. His nemesis with Kiambu County leadership however seem to be extending further.
Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi’s car bazaar situated opposite the Nyayo National Stadium has been demolished by Nairobi County government, in what could rage another war between the two.
Another SANY morning in the capital. Car and carpet cleaning business along Aerodrome Road, behind Nyayo Stadium, is being demolished; road blocked and traffic jam spilling over into other roads. Police surrounding area, blocking picture and video taking. pic.twitter.com/Lg5NeNMWcv
— Number8, the poet (@DannMwangi) February 15, 2019
The structure is a few metres from Aerodrome road and the railway line.
There is currently a heavy police presence within the area overseeing the demolition.
The demolition has resulted in a major traffic snarl-up on the busy Lang’ata Road heading into town.
Last year, the Nairobi county government said it will continue to demolish buildings on public and riparian land.
Julius Wanjau, who heads the county’s multi-agency team carrying out the demolitions, said marked buildings will be brought down.
During last year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, Governor Mike Sonko asked developers who have put up buildings on riparian land to approach City Hall before the county demolishes their property.
He asked them to produce a plan of how they will demolish the structures at their own cost.