Senior officials at Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) face allegations of systemic corruption, including kickback schemes and favoritism in contract awards, according to sources cited by Weekly Citizen. The report highlights tensions among top management over alleged financial misconduct and improper influence in infrastructure projects.
Procurement Controversies and Power Struggles ¶
Procurement head Margaret Muthui is accused of demanding excessive kickbacks for tender awards, with claims she secured her return to a key role after allegedly bribing members of the KeRRA board. Her tenure coincides with reports of a cartel operating between headquarters and regional offices, allegedly colluding with contractors to exclude new firms and favor established entities.
The cartel is said to have exploited loopholes by registering companies under youth women (YW) and people with disabilities (PWD) categories to secure contracts. In Nairobi, sources allege that at least Sh25.5 million was siphoned from 17 sub-counties through inflated road construction tenders, including a Sh164 million project for 21.2 kilometers of roads.
High-Profile Projects Under Scrutiny ¶
The Mandera-Fino road tarmacking project, valued at Sh3.2 billion, became a focal point of controversy. A contractor linked to KeRRA officials diverted Sh244 million of an advance payment to unrelated projects, prompting legal action. Documents reveal Sh2.4 billion was allocated for road upgrades, with Sh772 million for maintenance, but the process lacked transparency, as other bidders were not notified of the award.
The Sigiri bridge in Busia county, initially budgeted at Sh685 million, was inflated to Sh900 million. A Chinese contractor reportedly paid Sh100 million in bribes to secure the contract but later delivered substandard work. The bridge collapsed shortly after its official opening, leading to investigations that implicated KeRRA officials and contractors. No disciplinary actions have been taken against those involved, despite a probe linking them to the corruption network.
Structural Weaknesses and Ongoing Investigations ¶
KeRRA’s lack of a permanent director general has exacerbated the crisis, with acting head Luka Kimeli holding the position for over a year. Engineers are reportedly lobbying politicians to secure the role, seeking to exploit its financial incentives. Meanwhile, the authority’s leadership faces mounting pressure as multiple projects—ranging from road construction to bridge development—continue to draw scrutiny over mismanagement and alleged criminal activity.
