This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
On November 18, 2019, a disturbing trend of corruption within the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development came to light, with a rogue engineer at the center of the scandal.
According to sources, Silas Nyambok, a senior engineer at the ministry, has been accused of arm-twisting contractors into heavy kickbacks after winning government tenders.
Contractors who have fallen victim to Nyambok's alleged schemes claim that he has perfected the art of robbing from both the government and vulnerable contractors through his dubious deals.
One such contractor, a widow whose husband was frustrated to death due to Nyambok's behavior, has come forward with allegations of being forced to pay a mouthwatering kickback.
The widow's late husband was a co-director of a construction company that had won a tender for the construction of Isebania Bus Park in Migori county.
Other contractors have also come forward with similar allegations, including a contractor at Ogembo Bus Park who was forced to agree to a 50:50 sharing of payments, and a retired engineer who was threatened with curses after attempting to defraud Nyambok.
Nyambok's alleged modus operandi involves introducing himself as a senior government officer from the ministry, representing the PS, to intimidate his unsuspecting victims.
He is also accused of using his powers at the ministry to influence several contracts in favor of his wife's company, Nyakwesi Enterprises, and has allegedly claimed millions of shillings from these projects.
Questions are now being asked how the officer, who earns Sh70,000, has managed to miraculously acquire all the wealth despite not being in any known business.
