Former Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) Director General Philemon Kandie was arrested in a dramatic night raid by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Friday, October 3.
The anti-graft officers stormed his Nairobi home, seizing electronic gadgets and key documents before taking him to the EACC headquarters for interrogation. Kandie’s arrest follows growing scrutiny over allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement during his tenure at KeRRA.
His sudden resignation in July had already raised eyebrows, with questions now emerging about whether it was meant to shield him from impending investigations.
Corrupt Philemon Kandie Arrested in EACC Night Raid
EACC officers launched the operation under the cover of darkness, surrounding Kandie’s residence in Nairobi shortly before midnight. The former road agency boss, who was reportedly caught off guard, was whisked away to Integrity Centre for questioning.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the raid followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence collection by anti-graft officers. They were reportedly probing how millions of shillings were diverted from road projects through shell contractors allegedly linked to Kandie’s associates.
At Integrity Centre, Kandie was questioned for hours about contracts awarded during his tenure, with investigators focusing on payments made to companies that had little or no record of actual project delivery. His phone, laptop, and several official documents were confiscated for forensic examination.
An EACC insider described the raid as “necessary and coordinated,” adding that Kandie could face charges related to abuse of office, money laundering, and conspiracy to defraud the government.
Former KeRRA Director’s Resignation Raises More Questions
Kandie resigned from KeRRA on July 11—two years before his term was due to expire. His resignation letter, later made public, did not explain the reasons behind his decision. He instead cited a standard three-month notice period and requested to proceed on annual leave.
At the time, KeRRA simply announced his exit without further comment. However, insiders within the Ministry of Roads and Transport hinted that pressure had been mounting due to ongoing investigations into mismanagement of road project funds.
His exit came days after a petition was filed in court accusing him of using public funds to support violent protests in June. The petition claimed that money from KeRRA’s procurement accounts was channeled into logistics and payments for the organizers of the nationwide demonstrations.
The court documents also accused Kandie of breaching Chapter Six of the Constitution, citing abuse of office, violation of public trust, and misuse of state resources. The petitioner wanted the court to declare him unfit for public office permanently.
Alleged Corruption Network Under Scrutiny
Investigators believe Kandie oversaw a complex network that funneled millions of shillings meant for rural road development into personal and political projects. Several shell companies allegedly received inflated payments for non-existent or incomplete works.
According to sources familiar with the case, some of these companies shared directors or bank accounts with known KeRRA contractors. Funds were reportedly withdrawn in cash or transferred to offshore accounts, raising red flags among auditors.
EACC has been quietly building a case around these allegations since early 2024, collecting bank statements, procurement files, and communication records. Friday’s night raid was seen as a culmination of months of silent investigation.
The watchdog is expected to forward the completed file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for possible criminal charges in the coming weeks. Kandie may be charged with multiple counts of economic crimes if the evidence is deemed sufficient.
Public Reaction and KeRRA’s New Leadership
The arrest of the former KeRRA chief has reignited debate over corruption within government agencies handling major infrastructure funds. Social media was awash with demands for accountability and calls for EACC to go after other officials who might have benefited from the graft schemes.
Following Kandie’s resignation, the government appointed Jackson K. Magondu, who had been serving as Director in charge of Planning, Design, and Environment, to act as the new Director General. Magondu has pledged to restore transparency and rebuild public confidence in the institution.
In a brief statement, EACC confirmed the arrest and assured the public that the investigation would be conducted “professionally and without political interference.”
“The Commission will not relent in pursuing any individual, however powerful, suspected of stealing from the public,” said an EACC spokesperson.
