Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko threatened to stop the proposed degazettement of Capital Hill Police Station, citing serious security and legal concerns.
Sonko said he has instructed his lawyers to urgently file a petition under Articles 22, 23, 10, 247, and 258 of the Constitution of Kenya to challenge the move.
“We cannot and will not allow the security of Upper Hill to be compromised,” he said.
Sonko described Upper Hill as a critical nerve centre of the country, hosting key institutions such as the Milimani Law Courts, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kenyatta National Hospital, and Nairobi Hospital.
The area also houses major financial institutions including Equity Bank, KCB Bank, Co-operative Bank of Kenya, NCBA Group, and Gulf African Bank, alongside insurance firms such as Britam Holdings, CIC Insurance Group, UAP Old Mutual, Jubilee Insurance, and AAR Insurance.
Sonko further noted the presence of international hotels such as Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill, Pan Afric Hotel Nairobi, and Silver Springs Hotel Nairobi, as well as key government institutions including the Teachers Service Commission, National Transport and Safety Authority, National Lands Commission, and several ministries.
He also cited diplomatic missions such as the Embassy of Japan in Kenya and the Embassy of Tanzania in Kenya, religious institutions including All Saints Cathedral Nairobi and CITAM Valley Road, as well as schools like Loreto Convent Valley Road and Upper Hill School.
According to Sonko, weakening security in such a strategic area would pose a grave risk to lives, critical infrastructure, and the country’s economic stability.
He also raised concerns over ongoing legal matters tied to the station, revealing that records under OB No. 17/26/07/2025 are central to a case he is involved in (ACC No. 1 of 2020), in which the Officer Commanding Station has already testified, with more officers expected to appear in court.
Additionally, Sonko said he is the complainant in another case reported under OB No. 02/17/01/2026, which is still under investigation at the same station.
“Any attempt to remove or weaken this vital security installation is a direct threat to justice, public safety, and the rule of law,” he said.
He urged authorities to reconsider the move, warning that the consequences could be far-reaching.
Parliament has been linked to the closure of Capitol Hill police station in Nairobi.
The station was degazetted and closed to create room for St. John’s Ambulance and Scouts Association which had been displaced from their offices near Parliament.
Parliament created a ‘parliamentary square’ at the land initially occupied by the two institutions years ago forcing the government to get an alternative site for them.
Insiders said Capitol Hill Police station land was identified a decision made to take it for the two organisations.
“The two institutions will be moved to where the station is and the construction will be done by Parliament,” said an insider aware of the issue.
Police say there was no deeper consultations over the move and felt the institution was shortchanged.
Questions have been raised after authorities announced the closure of the Capitol Hill Police Station in Nairobi.
More than 50 police officers were displaced and redeployed to various police stations following the move by police headquarters.
Police authorities said they had been informed the station was degazetted.
The land has been transferred to the two agencies.
A construction company is currently occupying part of the almost two acres for storage of their materials.
The announcement prompted the immediate relocation of officers and the closure of operations at the facility.
The Officer Commanding Station Tusca Opondo instructed all officers there to vacate the premises within the shortest time possible following their redeployment to other stations.
“Capitol Hill Police Station has been officially degazetted, and as a result, I, the Officer Commanding Station, have been instructed to vacate the premises within the shortest time possible,” the statement read in part.
The OCS ordered all multi-agency investigators with pending cases and exhibits currently held at the station to collect them without delay.
“I am instructed to request that all multi-agency investigators with pending cases and exhibits, including motor vehicles, currently held at this station, arrange to collect them immediately,” Opondo stated in the memo shared among the police.
Members of the public with pending cash bail deposits were also advised to collect their refunds promptly before the funds are surrendered to the National Treasury.
The station had at least 50 police officers and was under the Kilimani Sub County. The affected officers were absorbed to other stations including Kilimani, Kibra, KICC and Central.
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