This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
July 8, 2019, marked a significant day for the Kenya Roads Board (KRB), but not for the reasons one might expect. Behind the scenes, a power struggle was brewing, with executive director Jacob Ruwa and general manager Lucy Gathika at the helm.
According to sources within the KRB, Ruwa and Gathika are allegedly working to oust several managers on flimsy grounds, with one manager already shown the door for unknown reasons. However, insiders claim that the real motive behind this move is to create a powerful position of manager corporate planning and strategy.
The position, advertised under Ref No 2019-1, was designed to favor one of Ruwa and Gathika's preferred applicants. Instead of engaging an independent body to recruit, the application process was made directly from the executive director's office, raising eyebrows among KRB staff.
The manager corporate planning and strategy role comes with significant powers, including working under the executive director and leading the coordination and implementation of initiatives. A postgraduate degree in Business and Strategic Planning was listed as a qualification, which insiders believe was aimed at favoring Ruwa's choice.
Other managers at the KRB include Margaret Ogai (planning and programming), David Orwenyo (technical compliance), George Juma (communication technology), and George Waithaka (chain management). Insiders claim that the position was created to clip the powers of managers who are not close to Ruwa, particularly those who are engineers.
