This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
On Thursday night, Nairobi County bulldozers tore down a business complex for the second time, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
According to eyewitnesses, the demolition began around 1am, with the bulldozers supervised by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who remained in his car throughout the operation.
"Sonko was in his car watching as the bulldozers demolished everything in the middle of the night," said one of the witnesses, who had been guarding the business.
A hydraulic vehicle alignment machine and an M-Pesa shop were among the structures destroyed in the process.
The demolition comes after a Nairobi magistrate declined to stop the planned demolitions, which were sparked by a notice given to the business owner, Peter Nderitu, stating that the construction was illegal.
Nderitu claims to have all the necessary approvals, including building permits from the county government, and that he has been occupying the premises on the strength of a lease between him and the landlord.
However, the county government maintains that the construction is illegal, and the demolition is a result of the business owner's failure to comply with the law.
