Kwale County has been rocked by revelations that senior officials have turned the devolved unit into their personal empire. Insiders say powerful individuals are calling the shots, sidelining systems meant to safeguard public funds.
Contractors are crying foul, billions are allegedly looted, and projects remain incomplete years after taxpayers’ money was spent. Residents are left with vandalized facilities and broken promises.
The corruption crisis is now drawing national outrage, with watchdogs warning that Kwale has become a textbook case of impunity in devolved governance.
Kwale Leaders Exposed in Mega Corruption Scandal Draining Public Funds
Behind the walls of Kwale County offices, whispers of corruption have turned into a storm. Senior officials are accused of hijacking procurement systems and milking the county dry.
According to insiders, Fransisca Kilonzo, the CECM for Social Services and Talent Management, and Alex Onduko, the Finance Chief Officer, are the real power brokers.
“Nothing in Kwale moves without their approval,” one officer revealed.
Kilonzo, who has amassed immense wealth, is accused of running county event management contracts through her private company. This scheme, sources claim, dates back to the tenure of former Governor Salim Mvurya.
Onduko has also been linked to financial manipulation. After a viral video exposed a senior county employee soliciting a bribe from a Somali businessman to speed up payments, he reportedly warned colleagues that they would now “carry their own cross.”
Governor Fails to Act
Governor Fatuma Achani has been accused of turning a blind eye to the scandal. “We even appealed to former Governor Mvurya to intervene, but everything remains at a standstill,” lamented one frustrated official.
Watchdogs claim that the governor’s silence is enabling senior officers to operate without fear. Allegations also tie her to irregular fund management, raising questions about her commitment to clean governance.
Contractors Left in Ruins
The biggest victims of the corruption mess are contractors.
The Commission for Human Rights and Justice (CHRJ), led by Julius Ogogoh, is handling the case of End To End Limited. The company completed the Kombani Fresh Produce Wholesale Market over four years ago but has never been paid more than Ksh 50 million.
Official records show the county declared the market ready for use on September 8, 2021. Strangely, two months later, the decision was reversed. On September 8, 2025, the county again issued a notice that the market was ready for use.
Today, Kombani Market is vandalized and abandoned. It stands as a painful reminder of betrayal, wasted resources, and failed leadership.
Billions in Kwale Looted by Senior Officials
Independent probes by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have placed Kwale among the most corruption-ridden counties at the Coast.
Allegations include:
- Looting of Ksh 500 million in trade funds
- Misappropriation of Ksh 26 million from the Trade Revolving Fund
- Diversion of money meant for genuine contractors and suppliers
Those mentioned in the schemes include Governor Fatuma Achani, Finance CECM Bakari Sebe, Finance Chief Officer Alex Onduko, and Trade Chief Officer CPA Hassan Ngalaa Chuphi.
Chuphi has reportedly bragged that “Kwale is his homebed and no one can touch him,” exposing the arrogance of unchecked power.
The CHRJ has petitioned investigative bodies to:
- Investigate the implicated officials immediately.
- Compel Kwale County to pay End To End Ltd. the Ksh 50 million owed.
- Conduct lifestyle audits on top leaders.
- Enforce strict anti-graft measures to protect public resources.
Kwale Now Top in National Corruption Survey
The National Ethics and Corruption Survey (NECS) 2024 ranks Kwale among the most bribery-prone counties. Residents reported being asked for bribes an average of 1.09 times per service sought—the highest in the country.
Even more worrying, 97.2% of victims never reported the incidents. This silence has allowed a culture of impunity to thrive.
While Kwale leads in frequency of bribery, other counties recorded higher bribe sizes:
- Uasin Gishu – Ksh 25,873 average bribe
- Baringo – Ksh 16,156
- Embu – Ksh 12,878
Makueni County recorded the lowest bribery likelihood at 0.61, showing that stronger governance can make a difference.
The Cost of Corruption to Kwale Residents
The corruption scandal in Kwale paints a grim picture of devolution gone wrong. Projects remain incomplete, businesses collapse, and residents are forced to pay more for basic services.
Public trust is at breaking point. Unless decisive action is taken, Kwale risks sinking deeper into the grip of cartels that see the county as their empire.
The people of Kwale deserve better. They deserve accountability, justice, and leaders who respect the sacrifices of taxpayers. Until then, Kombani Market will remain more than just an abandoned structure—it will stand as a monument to betrayal and impunity.
