An extensive investigation by Kenya Insights has revealed systematic corruption in the recruitment processes at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), involving senior officials, questionable consultancy contracts, and apparent nepotism.
At the center of the scandal is Patrick Mutisya, who simultaneously serves as director at Amazon Fronts Limited and Eagle HR Consultants while allegedly manipulating KeRRA’s hiring processes to benefit himself and associates.
“This appears to be a classic case of institutional capture,” said an insider who requested anonymity. “When procurement and hiring processes are compromised, it affects not just employment fairness but ultimately the quality of infrastructure delivered to Kenyans.”
Self-Dealing and Conflict of Interest
The investigation uncovered multiple concerning connections:
– Amazon Fronts Limited reportedly recruited Eng. Philemon Kandie as Director General of KeRRA before later receiving a multi-million shilling contract to conduct team-building exercises for the authority.
– In 2022, the same firm handled recruitment that resulted in numerous relatives of KeRRA’s leadership receiving one-year contracts: Kandie’s, board members’ and Victor Momanyi (from the Inspectorate of State Corporations), whose two children were allegedly given jobs.
– In what appears to be the most flagrant conflict of interest, Eagle HR Consultants—where Mutisya serves as CEO—allegedly managed the recruitment process that resulted in Mutisya himself being hired as Director of Corporate Services at KeRRA.
Sources within the authority suggest Mutisya’s appointment was a “reward” for helping Kandie secure the Director General position, creating what observers describe as a revolving door of favors.
Recent Recruitment Process Questioned
KeRRA’s recent advertisements for high-level positions, including Director Corporate Services, Director Engineering, and Deputy Director of Human Resources, have raised further concerns.
Despite the public call for applications, insiders claim the selection process has been predetermined.
“The advertisements are merely procedural,” claimed a source familiar with KeRRA’s operations. “The candidates have already been identified through the same networks.”
To further complicate the web of deception in the recruitments of key government agencies, Ben Chumo, former Kenya Power MD has also been listed as a director of the Board at Eagle HR consultants which is the firm at the center of alleged fraudulent recruitment practices.
A trail of this web and other agencies the firms have been involved in recruitment exercises could give the scale of alleged recruitment flaws.
These allegations, constitute violations of Public Procurement Laws and Chapter Six of the Constitution concerning leadership integrity; Mutisya’s firms recruiting him and his associates violates, hiring relatives of DG and board members undermines fair competition and dubious contracts (like the “team-building” exercise) drain millions from taxpayers.
Calls for Investigation
There are now growing calls for immediate intervention by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Service Commission.
“The Parliamentary Committee on Transport should summon KeRRA’s leadership to explain these apparent violations,” said a civil society representative tracking governance issues in the infrastructure sector.
