A businessman has come forward with a troubling account alleging he was conned millions of shillings by a senior public official under the guise of securing road construction tenders.
The victim claims the scheme was orchestrated by the KERRA Homa Bay County Manager, who allegedly demanded cash payments, promised lucrative projects, and then vanished. At the centre of the claims are assertions of political protection, fear, and silence.
This investigation documents the victim’s account and raises fresh questions about integrity, accountability, and abuse of office.
Inside the Alleged Tender Scam Involving the KERRA Homa Bay County Manager
According to the complainant, what began as a business opportunity quickly turned into a financial nightmare. The victim says he was introduced to Calvince Thomas, the KERRA Homa Bay County Manager, as someone with direct influence over the allocation of Kenya Rural Roads Authority projects in Homa Bay County.
The complainant alleges that Thomas presented himself as a powerful gatekeeper within KERRA, capable of determining which companies would win road construction tenders. The victim says the discussions focused on ongoing and upcoming rural road projects under Ndhiwa and Kasipul constituencies, areas where KERRA frequently undertakes works.
At no point, the victim admits, was a formal contract signed. Instead, he says trust was built through repeated assurances, official-sounding explanations of procurement processes, and claims of high-level protection that discouraged doubt or resistance.
Cash Handed Over During Kileleshwa Meeting
The victim states that on October 30, 2023, he personally handed over Ksh 2 million in cash to Thomas at Willow Garden in Kileleshwa. He recalls the meeting clearly, placing it at 12:37 PM, and insists the money was paid in full as agreed.
According to the complainant, the cash payment was presented as a facilitation fee to secure priority access to five KERRA projects. Three of the projects were allegedly under Ndhiwa Constituency, while two were linked to Kasipul Constituency. Thomas, the victim claims, assured him that his companies would be given preference once the tenders were processed.
The victim says the confidence displayed by the KERRA Homa Bay County Manager left little room for suspicion, especially given his senior position and familiarity with ongoing government projects in the region.
Claims of Political Protection and Untouchable Status
When the promised tenders failed to materialise, the complainant says he sought answers. He recounts a follow-up meeting held in February 2023 at Artcaffé in Hurlingham, where Thomas allegedly shifted the narrative.
During that meeting, the victim claims Thomas said the projects had been awarded to companies linked to powerful government figures, including the Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omolo. The complainant emphasises that these were Thomas’s claims, not independently verified facts.
More disturbing, the victim alleges, were boasts that other individuals had already reported Thomas to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations over losses amounting to Ksh 2.6 million. According to the complainant, Thomas laughed off those reports, allegedly insisting his political connections made him untouchable.
These statements, the victim says, were meant to intimidate and discourage any attempt to seek justice. Despite this, a new verbal agreement was allegedly reached, with Thomas promising to allocate alternative projects before the end of the financial year instead of refunding the money.
Silence, Broken Promises and Fear of Reporting
The victim says that since that last agreement, nothing has happened. He alleges that Thomas stopped answering phone calls, failed to respond to messages, and effectively cut off all communication.
So far, the complainant admits he has not filed a formal police report. Fear, uncertainty, and the alleged claims of political protection have delayed action. However, he says he is now considering reporting the matter as the financial loss continues to weigh heavily on his business and family.
This publication notes that these allegations remain untested in court. Efforts to seek comment from Calvince Thomas were unsuccessful by the time of publication. The Interior PS mentioned in the claims has not been linked to any wrongdoing, and the allegations attributed to his name remain unproven.
Still, the account raises serious concerns about procurement corruption, abuse of public office, and the vulnerability of contractors dealing with senior officials. As pressure mounts for transparency, the case underscores the urgent need for oversight within institutions such as KERRA, particularly in counties where public trust is already fragile.
