Firm working at bus terminus sues MP for allegedly hiring goons

A company putting up stalls at a bus terminus in Nairobi , has sued Starehe MP Maina Kamanda, for allegedly hiring goons to destroy its property.

Top Max Media claims Mr Kamanda hired goons on Tuesday last week after it had rebuffed his demand to be allocated new stalls.

Last year, Top Max Media made a proposal to Nairobi County Government, to operate the Kenya Railways bus terminus under the public-private partnership arrangement.

In the deal, the firm would beautify the terminus, build toilets, stalls, walkways, benches and install security cameras. In return, the company would recoup its expenses through charges on the businesses that would be set up, such as toilets and stalls.

“We had started construction, but Kamanda began politicising the issue after we rejected his demand for six free stalls for his constituents,” said Top Max Media director, Paul Warutere.

He said the company had sunk Sh20 million into the beautification, before the goons brought down the structures.

Kamanda presented a letter, allegedly from Kenya Railways Corporation, indicating the company was opposed to the new constructions.

Yesterday, Kamanda said the allegations laid against him are false, saying there is a letter written by Kenya Railways, claiming the land. 

He said the demolition was done by City askaris and he is ready to defend himself against any accusations and further claimed Warutere wanted his support over a dispute with the Nairobi County government, but he refused, that is why he (Warutere) could be raising those claims.

This week the company obtained interim orders to continue construction. The case will be heard on March 23.