Kenya Insights

Tag: KeRRA scandals

  • Magondu Sets Aside Millions From Contractors To Buy Kerra DG Position

    Magondu Sets Aside Millions From Contractors To Buy Kerra DG Position

    A dangerous scheme to capture the Kenya Rural Roads Authority top job through cash and political connections is unfolding, threatening to drag the roads agency back into the corruption quagmire that has haunted it for years.

    Acting Director General Engineer Jackson Magondu stands accused of orchestrating an elaborate plan to secure his confirmation by raising millions of shillings from construction firms that have grown fat on KeRRA tenders, according to multiple sources within the agency.

    The allegations paint a disturbing picture of an institution where power, money and fear have replaced merit in the race for one of the most lucrative positions in Kenya’s public service.

    What makes the situation particularly alarming is that Magondu is no stranger to controversy.

    He reportedly sits in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission black book following a demotion from deputy director general over allegations of demanding sexual favors in exchange for job opportunities and his involvement in irregular tender awards.

    Insiders claim Magondu panicked after appearing before the interview panel, fearing he would lose the position on merit alone. What followed, sources say, was a calculated campaign to buy his way to the top.

    Construction companies that have enjoyed repeated contracts, inflated project costs and questionable variations have allegedly been approached to contribute to a war chest designed to oil the wheels of his confirmation.

    These are the same firms that Magondu allegedly cultivated relationships with during his time heading KeRRA’s Special Projects Department, a strategic position overseeing the ambitious Roads 10,000KM Programme.

    During that period, sources claim, Magondu perfected the art of extracting kickbacks from desperate contractors.

    Firms vying for projects under the programme reportedly had to agree to monthly payments of Ksh 100,000, while approving certificates for payment required sums ranging between Ksh 1 million to Ksh 2 million.

    It is these same contractors, grown wealthy on inflated road contracts, that he is now allegedly tapping to finance his bid for the top job.

    The acting director general has reportedly invoked the names of powerful government figures to intimidate rivals and silence critics.

    Sources say he has boasted about connections to Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, using these names as shields against scrutiny.

    While no public evidence confirms these claims, the mention of such high offices has created a climate of fear at KeRRA.

    Employees who dare question Magondu face transfers, sidelining or stalled promotions, making it nearly impossible to challenge what insiders describe as a brazen attempt to purchase the director general position.

    Beyond the financial allegations, Magondu faces serious personal conduct questions.

    Female staff at KeRRA headquarters have privately raised complaints of sexual harassment, but these grievances have allegedly been buried by senior managers seeking to protect the acting director general during the crucial recruitment period.

    These are not new allegations for Magondu.

    His demotion from deputy director general was reportedly linked to sex-for-employment schemes that left a trail of victims even as he flaunted his wealth in the company of numerous mistresses.

    One construction firm allegedly involved in dubious deals with him is said to be linked to a secret lover, raising questions about how deep the web of corruption and personal relationships runs.

    No court has ruled on these allegations and no formal investigation has been concluded, but the silence surrounding them raises troubling questions about accountability and protection of whistleblowers within the agency.

    Adding to the internal turmoil is the reported hostility between Magondu and his deputy, Engineer Enock Arita Kombo.

    Enock Kombo.
    Enock Kombo.

    Sources describe open animosity, with Magondu viewing Kombo as a threat to his ambitions.

    Those familiar with the situation believe Magondu fears his deputy could expose irregular dealings, fueling the rush to secure the top position before opposition can organize.

    The ill-gotten wealth allegedly accumulated through years of corruption is evident in Magondu’s lifestyle. Sources say he owns numerous properties in Nairobi and Mombasa, assets that raise uncomfortable questions about how a public servant on a government salary could amass such wealth.

    The fight for the KeRRA director general seat comes at a time when the agency is still reeling from its corrupt past.

    For years, the roads authority served as a feeding trough for unscrupulous engineers and officials who used inflated tenders, fake variations and ghost works to drain public funds meant for rural roads.

    Former Director General Philemon Kandie became the symbol of that era of plunder. In October 2025, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officers arrested him in a dramatic night raid, seizing electronics and documents from his home. Investigators have been questioning him over allegations of graft and financial mismanagement during his tenure.

    Kandie had resigned two years before his term ended, with KeRRA offering no explanation at the time. Later, a High Court petition accused him of funneling state funds through shell companies to finance June protests, allegations he has denied.

    Ex-Kerra DG Philemon Kandie.
    Ex-Kerra DG Philemon Kandie.

    The arrest sent shockwaves through the agency, but employees say the fundamental problems remain.

    The same networks that thrived under Kandie survived his fall. Magondu himself represents continuity rather than change, having allegedly been a key player in the corruption machinery during the Kandie era and before.

    Curiously, while Magondu continues to enjoy influence and power within KeRRA, his alleged associate Margaret Wanja Muthui, a former manager at the agency described by insiders as his twin sister in corruption, was successfully charged and had her property seized by the state in 2023.

    Many at KeRRA wonder aloud why Magondu has escaped similar legal consequences despite facing comparable allegations.

    This continuity explains why insiders describe the director general position as every crooked engineer’s dream.

    The job holder controls procurement approvals worth billions, project priorities and internal audits.

    A single signature can unlock vast sums of public money, which is precisely what makes the position so attractive to someone with Magondu’s alleged history.

    Any serious reform would threaten those feeding off the system, which is why sources believe there is such determination to buy the position rather than win it through merit and integrity.

    The money being raised from contractors is not just about securing a job but about protecting a lucrative ecosystem of corruption that has enriched a select few at public expense.

    The implications for ordinary Kenyans are severe.

    If the allegations hold water and Magondu secures confirmation through dubious means, rural roads will continue to fail, projects will stall and taxpayer money will vanish into private pockets.

    The exploitation of tender processes that allegedly made Magondu wealthy will simply continue under official protection.

    Kenyans have witnessed this tragedy before.

    Kandie’s arrest demonstrated where unchecked power leads. Confirming a director general with Magondu’s controversial background, already in the EACC black book and facing multiple serious allegations, would repeat the same mistakes with predictable consequences.

    The appointing authorities now face a critical test of their commitment to good governance.

    They can demand integrity, transparency and thorough vetting, or they can ignore the warning signs and gamble with public trust.

    The fact that someone reportedly demoted for corruption and sexual harassment is even in the running for the top job raises questions about the seriousness of the vetting process.

    For KeRRA, this decision will determine the agency’s trajectory for years to come.

    For millions of Kenyans who depend on rural roads for access to markets, schools and hospitals, it will decide whether their taxes build infrastructure or simply enrich the corrupt.

    The question now is whether those with the power to act will choose accountability over convenience, merit over money, and the public interest over political expediency.

    Will they seriously examine why someone allegedly in the EACC black book is being considered for such a sensitive position?

    Will they investigate the properties in Nairobi and Mombasa? Will they question how contractors are being mobilized to raise millions for his confirmation?

    The answer will reveal much about the direction of governance in Kenya and whether the fight against corruption is genuine or merely performative theater designed to pacify an increasingly skeptical public.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  • KeRRA Under Fire as Tax-Dodging Contractor Wins Major Migori Road Deal

    KeRRA Under Fire as Tax-Dodging Contractor Wins Major Migori Road Deal

    The Kenya Rural Roads Authority is under mounting pressure after awarding a lucrative rural road contract in Migori County to a Nairobi firm that only recently escaped a bruising tax dispute with the Kenya Revenue Authority.

    The move has triggered questions about the integrity of government procurement and whether state agencies are rewarding firms with questionable histories.

    The tender covers the upgrade of the Agolomuok Otat Aora Chuduoro road in Suba Sub County.

    The project promises to finally open up villages that have endured decades of muddy, impassable tracks.

    It is expected to boost trade, improve access to health facilities and connect Nyatike, Ndhiwa and Suba areas along a rugged lakeside belt.

    Contractors have already moved equipment to the site, and signage bearing the name of the main contractor, Takbir General Trading Company Limited, is up. For locals who have waited a lifetime for tarmac, the mobilisation sparked genuine excitement.

    That joy was quickly interrupted. Until August this year, Takbir was locked in a tense battle at the Tax Appeals Tribunal.

    KRA had demanded millions in backdated corporation tax and VAT, accusing the firm of inflating bank credits and underreporting revenue. Auditors claimed the discrepancies amounted to fraud under the Tax Procedures Act.

    Takbir fought back and said KRA had misread its records.

    It argued that routine interbank transfers, loans from directors and reversed entries had been wrongly classified as income. The company insisted the assessments were baseless.

    On August 23, 2024, the tribunal ruled in Takbir’s favour and threw out the entire tax claim. Judges said KRA had failed to distinguish real business earnings from ordinary banking movements.

    The ruling restored Takbir’s eligibility for public tenders that require a current tax compliance certificate.

    The firm, founded in 2013 and based along Banda Street in Nairobi, has handled several rural road projects across the country.

    The controversy gained momentum on Sunday when Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi Ng’ongo toured the site.

    He praised President William Ruto’s administration for opening up historically neglected regions and shared a celebratory post online.

    His remarks ignited immediate backlash from civil society and local leaders who questioned KeRRA’s choice of contractor.

    “It raises concerns about the strength of due diligence. You cannot ignore a tribunal case that flagged opaque banking practices,” said Homa Bay activist Elijah Ochieng.

    He argued that taxpayers deserved stronger safeguards, especially in a county that has endured broken promises on infrastructure for generations.

    KeRRA dismissed the criticism.

    Officials said the award was open, competitive and fully compliant with procurement law. They pointed out that Takbir had a valid tax compliance certificate and urged the public to judge the project by its impact, not its past legal battles.

    A spokesperson said the new road would slash travel times and transform access to markets and hospitals.

    Takbir declined immediate comment but confirmed it was fully mobilised and committed to delivering quality work.

    For residents of Suba, the stakes remain high.

    The region, a hub for maize, sorghum and sunflower farming, has lagged behind neighbouring counties that received tarmac years ago.

    The Agolomuok Otat stretch is notorious for flooding and rocky outcrops that cut off villages after every downpour.

    The project, listed as contract number KeRRA/09/19/2024-2025, aims for completion within 18 months.

    As bulldozers roll in, KeRRA is facing a larger question.

    Is a clean court ruling enough to justify awarding a major contract to a firm with a contested audit history? CS Mbadi has avoided the tax debate and instead urged the country to focus on development.

    On the ground, opinions remain sharply divided. Many residents are thrilled to finally see tarmac coming.

    Others fear the project carries a shadow that could return to haunt both KeRRA and the community if oversight slips.

    For now, the road is both a beacon of hope and a test of accountability in a county long denied its share of public infrastructure.

  • EXPLOSIVE DOSSIER: THE SECRET FILE THAT COULD DESTROY CAREERS – INSIDE KERRA’S SHOCKING CERTIFICATE SCANDAL

    EXPLOSIVE DOSSIER: THE SECRET FILE THAT COULD DESTROY CAREERS – INSIDE KERRA’S SHOCKING CERTIFICATE SCANDAL

    Former DG Accused of Running Shadow Verification Scheme That Bypassed HR and Violated Staff Rights

    NAIROBI – A bombshell investigation has uncovered what insiders are calling “one of the most brazen abuses of power” in Kenya’s public service: a clandestine certificate verification exercise at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) that allegedly violated constitutional rights, circumvented official protocols, and may have been weaponized to settle personal scores.

    At the center of the explosive scandal? Former Director-General Eng. Philemon Kandie, who is now accused of orchestrating a secretive verification process in 2022 using a handpicked external consultant—completely sidelining the Human Resources Department and burying the results for three years.

    THE MIDNIGHT CONSULTANT: How KeRRA’s Verification Went Rogue

    Multiple sources within KeRRA have revealed the stunning details of what they describe as an “unauthorized and deeply compromised” operation. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the organization, Eng. Kandie allegedly brought in an external consultant—reportedly without transparent procurement or proper vetting—and granted this individual unrestricted access to confidential staff files.

    “This wasn’t just irregular. It was unprecedented,” said one senior KeRRA official who spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing retaliation. “The HR Department, which by law should have led this process, was completely frozen out. We were kept in the dark while someone we’d never vetted rifled through our colleagues’ most sensitive documents.”

    The legal violations are staggering. According to the Public Service Commission (PSC) Regulations (2020), certificate verification is explicitly the responsibility of the “Authorized Officer”—typically the Head of Human Resources. The Employment Act (2007) demands protection of employee information and prohibits discrimination in employment decisions. Yet by every account, both regulations were trampled.

    Article 232 of Kenya’s Constitution mandates that public service operate with “high standards of professional ethics, transparency, and accountability.” Critics charge that Kandie’s secret operation violated every single principle.

    THREE YEARS OF SILENCE: The Report That Disappeared

    But here’s where the plot thickens dramatically.

    For three years—from 2022 until Kandie’s departure in 2025—the verification report remained locked away in the former DG’s office. It was never presented to the management board. Never reviewed by HR. Never validated by the PSC. Never seen by the very staff whose careers it could destroy.

    “If this report was legitimate, why hide it like nuclear codes?” demanded one incredulous employee. “Why keep it secret for three years, only to suddenly demand its implementation the moment you’re walking out the door?”

    According to multiple credible sources, Kandie handed over the report to the incoming Director-General only during the transition period—and has since been allegedly pressuring the new leadership, along with sympathizers within KeRRA and the PSC, to implement its findings immediately.

    The timing has raised red flags across the organization.

    VENDETTA OR VERIFICATION? Staff Cry Foul Over Alleged Targeting

    The real bombshell? Staff members believe the report may have been deliberately manipulated to target specific individuals.

    Colleagues describe Kandie’s management style in damning terms: vindictive, controlling, and prone to using administrative tools—transfers, evaluations, disciplinary measures—as weapons against perceived enemies.

    Now, terrified employees are asking: Were files tampered with? Were fake documents planted? Were legitimate credentials removed?

    “We have reason to believe certain files were doctored,” claimed one staff member, visibly shaken. “People who crossed the former DG professionally are now finding their qualifications mysteriously ‘unverifiable.’ It’s too convenient to be coincidence.”

    Article 41(1) of the Constitution guarantees every worker the right to fair labour practices. Section 46(h) of the Employment Act explicitly prohibits punishment or discrimination unrelated to work performance. If the allegations prove true, this wasn’t a verification exercise—it was character assassination by administrative decree.

    THE LAW IS CRYSTAL CLEAR: This Should Never Have Happened

    Legal experts consulted for this investigation are unequivocal: what allegedly happened at KeRRA represents a wholesale violation of established protocols.

    The PSC Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual (2023) and the Code of Conduct and Ethics for the Public Service (2016) are explicit:

    ✓ HR must lead all verification exercises
    ✓ Staff records must remain confidential
    ✓ Proper authentication channels (KNEC, KRA, professional bodies) must be used

    Section 27 of the Public Service (Values and Principles) Act, 2015 mandates transparency and accountability in all HR practices. A process “conducted in secrecy” or perceived to target individuals directly violates statutory obligations.

    “This isn’t just bad practice—it’s potentially actionable,” warned one employment law specialist. “Staff whose careers are damaged by this report could have grounds for legal action against both the authority and individuals involved.”

    STAFF REVOLT: Demand for Justice Grows Louder

    Faced with what they view as an existential threat to their careers and livelihoods, KeRRA employees are fighting back.

    In a powerful joint statement circulating internally, staff have issued uncompromising demands:

    🔴 Immediate disposal of the 2022 “Kandie Report”
    🔴 Formation of a transparent, multi-agency verification team led by HR
    🔴 Independent audit of the 2022 consultant’s work to detect file tampering
    🔴 Public communication of any new verification process methodology

    “We’re not against accountability,” stressed one employee representative. “We welcome legitimate verification. But this report is poisoned fruit. It was born in secrecy, kept in darkness, and now being rushed to judgment. That’s not integrity—that’s intimidation.”

    THE SMOKING GUN QUESTIONS

    This scandal leaves behind five devastating questions that demand answers:

    1. Why was HR excluded from its own constitutional mandate?

    2. Why did Kandie sit on the report for three years before suddenly pushing for implementation?

    3. What safeguards—if any—prevented tampering with confidential files by external parties?

    4. Why are some PSC insiders reportedly pressuring validation of a report that violates PSC’s own protocols?

    5. If the report was credible, why wasn’t it immediately acted upon in 2022?

    Until these questions receive satisfactory answers, the entire exercise remains fundamentally compromised.

    THE CROSSROADS: New Leadership Faces Defining Test

    KeRRA’s new Director-General now faces a career-defining decision.

    The path forward is clear: Discard the tainted 2022 report. Launch a new, transparent verification process led by HR professionals in strict accordance with PSC regulations, labour law, and constitutional provisions.

    Such decisive action would send an unmistakable message: The era of governance-by-vendetta is over. Due process, fairness, and genuine integrity are the new order.

    The alternative? Implementing a compromised report that could spark legal challenges, destroy innocent careers, and permanently stain KeRRA’s reputation.

    CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS OR MOMENT OF REDEMPTION?

    This scandal strikes at the very heart of Kenya’s reformed public service. Article 232 promised Kenyans a civil service built on merit, transparency, and accountability—not secret files, shadow consultants, and suspected score-settling.

    Staff aren’t asking for special treatment. They’re demanding their constitutional rights. They’re insisting on the very principles that should govern every public institution in Kenya.

    The question now is whether those in power will uphold those principles—or whether the “Kandie Report” will be allowed to detonate careers based on a process that violated every rule it claimed to enforce.

    As one KeRRA employee put it with devastating simplicity: “We deserve verification, not victimization. We deserve transparency, not terror. We deserve the law, not one man’s vendetta.”

    The eyes of Kenya’s public service are now on KeRRA. The Constitution is clear. The law is settled.

    The only question remaining: Will justice prevail?

    Efforts to reach former DG Eng. Philemon Kandie for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

     

  • Cowboy Contractor Ordered To Pay KRA Sh300 Million For Tax Evasion

    Cowboy Contractor Ordered To Pay KRA Sh300 Million For Tax Evasion

    A construction company with a trail of stalled projects and legal battles has been slapped with a Sh314 million tax bill by the High Court, exposing a pattern of financial irregularities that spans multiple government contracts worth billions of shillings.

    Kiu Construction Company lost its second appeal on Friday after Justice Benjamin Musyoki upheld the Kenya Revenue Authority’s demand for unpaid taxes, ordering the firm to pay Sh277.8 million in corporation tax, Value Added Tax, and Pay As You Earn deductions, plus Sh36.4 million assessed on the director’s rental income.

    The ruling comes as the company remains embroiled in multiple court cases and continues to face criticism over delayed project deliveries, including the controversial River Enziu bridge in Kitui County that has remained incomplete nearly three years after the tragic accident it was meant to prevent.

    Court records reveal that Kiu Construction, managed by Kariuki Theuri, has been involved in at least four separate legal disputes in 2024 and 2025 alone, including cases involving loan defaults, contractual disputes, and now the massive tax evasion judgment.

    Multiple Stalled Projects

    The most high-profile of Kiu Construction’s troubled contracts is the Sh700 million River Enziu bridge project awarded by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority in April 2022.

    The bridge was commissioned after 32 people, including church choir members heading to a wedding, perished when their bus was swept away by raging waters in December 2021.

    Recent reports from July 2025 indicate that while work has “recently resumed after months of inactivity,” the project remains far from completion nearly four years after the tragedy.

    Local residents continue to face life-threatening conditions during rainy seasons, with examination papers having to be delivered by helicopter to schools cut off by the flooded river.

    The stalled bridge on River Enziu in Kitui County pictured on November 22, 2023. In December 2021, a 51-seater bus belonging to St. Joseph Seminary Mwingi ferrying Good Shephard Catholic Parish choir members that were heading to Nuu Catholic Church for a wedding plunged into the river killing 32 people.
    The stalled bridge on River Enziu in Kitui County pictured on November 22, 2023. In December 2021, a 51-seater bus belonging to St. Joseph Seminary Mwingi ferrying Good Shephard Catholic Parish choir members that were heading to Nuu Catholic Church for a wedding plunged into the river killing 32 people.

    The company has also been linked to the rehabilitation of Nanyuki Airstrip, a project awarded by the Kenya Airports Authority. Court documents from November 2024 reveal that Kiu Construction borrowed Sh85 million for this project, but the case suggests financial difficulties with the loan obligations.

    Pattern of Financial Troubles

    The tax evasion case dates back to KRA’s investigation of the company’s affairs between 2015 and 2019. Initially, the revenue authority demanded over Sh655 million from the company before revising the corporate demand down to Sh277 million in April 2021.

    Justice Musyoka rejected Kiu Construction’s appeal, noting that the company had consistently missed statutory deadlines for filing objections and failed to seek proper extensions.

    The firm’s lawyers attempted to challenge the merit of KRA’s tax assessments rather than addressing the procedural failures that led to their case being struck out by the Tax Appeals Tribunal.

    “The appeal was unrelated to the findings of the tribunal and the court should not be conducting a fresh trial on facts that were not considered by the tribunal,” Justice Musyoka ruled in September 2025.

    Workers Left Unpaid

    The company’s financial woes appear to extend beyond tax obligations.

    Workers at the River Enziu bridge site reported in December 2023 that their salaries were in arrears by five months, forcing them to down tools to demand payment.

    “Our salaries are in arrears of five months. We have to be on a go-slow for us to be paid our wages,” one casual worker told journalists, speaking anonymously for fear of victimization.

    Legal Battles Mount

    Court records show Kiu Construction has been involved in multiple legal disputes, including a case with Karooooo Ltd (formerly Retriever Ltd) decided in July 2025, and an ongoing environment and land case with Motion Pictures Limited that was ruled on in February 2025.

    The company has also faced legal action from Regent Auctioneers over loan defaults related to the Nanyuki Airstrip project, with the Court of Appeal handling the matter as recently as November 2024.

    Questions Over Vetting Process

    The mounting legal troubles raise serious questions about the government’s contractor vetting process and whether companies with questionable financial practices should be awarded critical public infrastructure contracts.

    The case is particularly troubling given that the River Enziu bridge was meant to prevent future tragedies at a crossing that has claimed multiple lives over the years. Despite promises and significant public funding, the community remains vulnerable to the same risks that led to the December 2021 disaster.

    As the company now faces the Sh314 million tax judgment, residents of the affected areas continue to wait for the infrastructure that could save lives, while taxpayers bear the cost of both the incomplete projects and the lengthy legal processes required to hold contractors accountable.

    The Kenya Rural Roads Authority has not responded to questions about potential contract termination or alternative arrangements for completing the vital bridge project.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  • Rogue Director General: Accountability Crisis at Kenya Rural Roads Authority Demands Urgent Action

    Rogue Director General: Accountability Crisis at Kenya Rural Roads Authority Demands Urgent Action

    By Joseph Kithii

    The Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) finds itself at the center of mounting allegations of corruption and mismanagement that can no longer be ignored. While Senator Samson Cherargei’s recent statements may initially sound dramatic, stakeholders across the roads sector increasingly echo his concerns about the authority’s leadership.

    At the heart of these concerns is KeRRA Director General Engineer Philemon Kandie, whose continued tenure raises significant questions.

    Court rulings have declared his recruitment process illegal, yet he remains in office.

    This situation undermines public confidence in both the institution and the broader governance framework that should ensure accountability in public appointments.

    The optics of leadership at KeRRA also raise eyebrows. Reports indicate that the Director General travels in a convoy of three Toyota Land Cruiser Prados accompanied by multiple bodyguards—a level of security detail that appears disproportionate for the position within the government hierarchy.

    Such displays of privilege, funded by taxpayers, send troubling signals about priorities within the organization.

    Former Senator Johnstone Muthama has publicly criticized what he describes as skewed allocation of road projects across counties, raising questions about the criteria used in project distribution.

    These allegations point to potential corruption in the tender allocation process—a serious concern given KeRRA’s mandate to improve rural infrastructure equitably across Kenya.

    Further troubling are reports about the Director General’s work patterns. Sources suggest irregular office attendance, with responsibilities frequently delegated to the Director of Road Asset Management, Engineer Kombo.

    Such absenteeism raises questions about oversight and leadership effectiveness at a critical infrastructure agency.

    Eng. Kombo has become notorious with his devilish relationship with rogue contractors mostly from the Somali community whom he’s often seen with in hotels as he collect bribes and allegedly award irregular contracts.

    The allegations surrounding KeRRA’s leadership extend beyond individual conduct to systemic issues affecting Kenya’s rural development.

    Road infrastructure is fundamental to economic growth, market access, and service delivery in rural areas.

    When the agency responsible for this critical mandate faces credibility challenges, the entire rural development agenda suffers.

    The concentration of tender awards among specific contractor demographics, as alleged, also raises questions about fair competition and value for money in public procurement.

    Kenya’s procurement laws exist precisely to prevent such concentration and ensure equitable opportunities for qualified contractors.

    These allegations demand thorough investigation by relevant oversight bodies, including Parliament, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Office of the Auditor General.

    The public deserves transparency about KeRRA’s operations, tender processes, and leadership conduct.

    President William Ruto’s administration, which has positioned itself as committed to fighting corruption, faces a test of this commitment.

    Allowing questionable practices to continue at KeRRA would undermine the administration’s credibility on governance issues.

    The way forward requires:
    – Immediate investigation of all allegations by competent authorities
    – Review of KeRRA’s procurement processes and project allocation criteria
    – Evaluation of the Director General’s continued tenure given legal challenges to his appointment
    – Implementation of stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent future occurrences

    Kenya’s rural communities, who depend on KeRRA’s services, deserve better.

    The authority’s mandate is too important to be compromised by questions of corruption and mismanagement. Swift action to address these concerns is not just necessary—it’s urgent.

    The author is a concerned citizen committed to transparency and accountability in public service.

  • KeRRA Under Probe For Sh200 Million Overpayment in Road Project

    KeRRA Under Probe For Sh200 Million Overpayment in Road Project

    Lawmakers are investigating how the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) paid contractors Sh200 million beyond the agreed contract amount for a rural roads project in Western Kenya.

    The Ministry of Roads and Transport faced tough questions from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over unexplained overpayments for consultancy charges and project financing meant for rural road and market infrastructure improvements.

    Documents tabled before the PAC revealed that the project, initially budgeted at Sh1.22 billion, ended up costing Sh1.42 billion, an excess of Sh207.8 million—a violation of the Public Finance Management Act.

    “On the statement of receipts and payments and other project information, as of June 2023, the project had received total funding of Sh1.427 billion against an agreed contractual funding of Sh1.220 billion, which was not explained,” the Auditor General’s report noted.

    The report further revealed that the scandal ridden KeRRA had violated procurement regulations, with evidence of both overpayment and underpayment for various projects.

    Lawmakers, led by Tindi Mwale, questioned why the statement of receipts showed an overpayment of Sh225.6 million, yet the total balance stood at Sh435 million, with no clear justification for the discrepancy.

    Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua denied any over-financing, arguing that the figures had not been properly adjusted to reflect the financing agreement.

    “The financing agreement was between the development partner and the National Treasury. The difference between Sh1.47 billion and the agreed Sh1.27 billion is the UK component for the project—it is not over-financing,” Mbugua explained.

    However, Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo dismissed the explanation, stating:

    “You can’t amend what you don’t need to amend. If you say there was no over-financing, then stop there. But if you say you adjusted, you are admitting there was over-financing.”

    The Auditor General also flagged Sh66.2 million in pending payments, which have remained unsettled for over a year, exposing the project to interest charges and penalties.

    The prolonged non-settlement of these bills has raised concerns over the financial risks associated with the project, with MPs warning that the delays could further inflate costs and stall completion.

    The PAC is expected to summon more officials from the Ministry of Roads and Transport for further clarification on the irregular payments.

    KeRRA Boss Kandie involvement in over quoting tenders

    This doesn’t come as a surprise, Philemon Kiprop Kandie, the corrupt Director General of KeRRA has been embroiled in multiple multibillion road construction tender disputes.

    In a previous matter, he Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has accused KeRRA of procurement fraud, alleging that a road upgrading tender was irregularly awarded to Shengli Engineering Construction, which had the highest bid, instead of Guanxi Hydroelectric, which had the lowest bid. The PPRA claims this was part of a conspiracy involving corrupt KeRRA staff and politically connected individuals to defraud Kenyan taxpayers.

    In the contested tender, one firm contesting the award, claiming it was overquoted by Sh1 billion. The PPRA warned Kandie against taking any action on the tenders until the matter is resolved, emphasizing the need to safeguard public resources. Despite the ongoing investigation, Kandie dismissed the probe, claiming the tender has already been awarded with the support of high-ranking officials, including President William Ruto and then Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen.

    Kandie’s tenure has been controversial, including a court ruling in 2023 that found his appointment illegal, though he remains in office.

  • Inside the Sh200 billion tender wars at KeRRA

    Inside the Sh200 billion tender wars at KeRRA

    Bitter wars  to control Sh200 billion tender have erupted at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) with the powerful cartel at the  agency forcing out senior staffers who have declined to toe the lines.

    At the center of the latest battles is the move by KeRRA Director General Eng. Philemon Kandie who is working for the cartels to kick out Margret Wanja Muthui who heads the Procurement department. Kandie has been accused of being the hidden hand behind unprocedural transfer of staffers deemed as ‘hurdles’ in their corrupt dealings.

    There have been numerous attempts to forcefully transfer Muthui to the ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works to tilt the table in favor of Kandie and his powerful forces to bag the tenders worth over Sh200 billion.

    Muthui joined KeRRA’s procurement department in November 2009 and was later elevated to become the procurement manager in 2014 but on February 10 2021 Eng. Kandie ordered Muthui to handover her responsibilities and report to her new station at the Transport ministry.

    KeRRA Director General Eng. Philemon Kandie [p/courtesy]
    She challenged the move in court where Justice Maureen Onyango suspended her transfer and fixed the inter parte hearing on March 15 after Kerra board had on February 10 appointed unqualified Catherine Kangangi as the acting procurement manager.

    Kangangi has questionable papers but she is being favored for the position because she is Kandie’s mistress with whom he has been spotted in many secret places. She can also be trusted as a ‘safe hand’ to oversee Kandie and his cartels’ shady deals.

    KeRRA cartels are also targeting one Peter Gichohi- the man behind the shoddy Sh1.2 billion Sigiri Bridge in Busia county that collapsed after Uhuru Kenyatta inspected it ahead of 2017 polls.

    The bridge was built by a Chinese  firm, Chinese Overseas- Construction and Engineering Company whose manager is Jerome Xzue Hu who enjoys close business links with Gichohi, Muthui and many Chinese contractors.