Over the years, former KEMSA Chairman Irungu Nyakera has become synonymous with controversy, with his journey defined by a long-standing role as a career public servant and a brief foray into politics as the leader of the obscure Farmers Party , under which he made a failed attempt at the Murang’a gubernatorial seat. Chairperson of KICC Board Irungu Nyakera
As the current chairman of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), he continues to be an influential player in state affairs, intertwining his business interests with public service.
This intertwining of politics and power has afforded him considerable access to the corridors of influence and created an environment ripe for the abuse of authority.
With his extensive connections, Nyakera often leverages his position to manipulate situations to his advantage.
Unsuspecting victims of his dealings find themselves powerless against his influence and unable to challenge his actions or seek redress.
His reputation is tainted by endless scandals.
Among the numerous controversies surrounding Nyakera, the Samara Housing Project stands out as a major initiative that thrust him into the limelight.
The project launched in Kiambu County in 2020, marked a turning point in Irungu Nyakera’s career, thrusting him into the public eye.
Advertised as a premier luxurious-low-cost housing initiative, it was promoted by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development under Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, alongside notable government officials and local developers.
The project aimed to offer two and three-bedroom apartments at competitive prices of KSh 2.95 million and KSh 3.95 million, respectively, attracting numerous hopeful investors but the promise of affordable housing quickly faded as construction stalled and left many victims in disarray.
Investors deposited substantial sums, typically 40% of the total cost, to Sycamore Pine Limited, the company led by Nyakera, with the expectation that construction would commence promptly.
When no progress materialized, investors sought refunds through their sales agent, who indicated that they were facing communication difficulties with Nyakera and his firm.
Efforts to reach Nyakera directly were met with empty assurances and unfulfilled promises, leading to frustration and disappointment among the affected families.
This is something we've covered before, and if you want to read more into how Irungu Nyakera conned innocent Kenyans out of millions through the Samara Housing Project, you can read all about it here .
And if you think the Samara Housing Project was a cautionary tale, wait until you hear about what Irungu Nyakera is up to now.
He seems to be employing the same tactics in a fresh scam involving plots at Thika Greens.
Frustrated sellers who spoke to us under the request of anonymity shared their experiences.
The sellers detailed that since January they have sold multiple plots on Nyakera's behalf each valued at Ksh 8 million.
They were promised a commission of 3% on these sales, which was to be paid by August but when the seller inquired about their commission, Nyakera refused to pay, claiming there was no formal agreement regarding commissions.
Despite repeated requests for payment, Nyakera allegedly dismissed the seller, instructing them to leave.
Following this confrontation, the sellers found themselves blocked on all communication platforms.
Attempts to email Nyakera yielded no response.
The seller saved all email correspondence as proof of their claims.
Nyakera later reached out, suggesting the seller could continue working as a freelancer, which the seller interpreted as another attempt to deceive them further.
The seller lamented to us that not only are they unable to recover their promised commission but clients attempting to withdraw their deposits are also being ignored by Nyakera.
This experience has left the seller feeling powerless and exploited, echoing a pattern that seems all too familiar with Nyakera’s dealings. "Hi Nyakundi. Irungu Nyakera is a con artist. I was telling you about the plots he owns at Thika Greens. I am among the people who have been selling for him. Since January, we have sold many plots for him, with each plot going for 8 million shillings. He was supposed to pay us a 3% commission by August. However, when we asked for our commission, he refused to pay us, claiming we didn't have a commission agreement. When we insisted on getting my commission, he told us to leave. He has since blocked us everywhere. We email him, but he never responds. I have all our email correspondence. He didn’t provide us with the commission agreement when we started. After I left, he tried to reach out to me via email, asking me to sell for him as a freelancer. It seems he wanted to con me further. I am so frustrated because I have been trying to contact him to recover even half of my commission but he has blocked me and never answers our calls. Even the clients who have been trying to withdraw their deposits have been refused by him. I have brought many clients and have never received any commission." Just as in previous incidents, including his days at KEMSA, Irungu Nyakera's actions demonstrate a troubling pattern of leveraging his influential positions to operate with impunity.
His belief that he is untouchable appears rooted in a history of successfully evading accountability for his misdeeds.
This sense of invulnerability not only emboldens him to exploit vulnerable individuals but also fosters an environment where ethical boundaries are blurred.
By the time he was kicked out of KEMSA in August 2024, Irungu Nyakera's tenure was marred by multiple scandals that raised alarm among the public and government officials alike.
His actions during this period not only exemplified a blatant disregard for ethical governance but also reflected a concerning trend of manipulation and self-interest that appears to have been a hallmark of his career.
Nyakera was accused of awarding lucrative tenders to companies linked to his political allies, particularly from Murang’a County.
These allegations, which emerged amidst broader concerns regarding systemic corruption and mismanagement within KEMSA, painted a picture of a public servant who prioritized personal gain over the welfare of the institution.
Reports also surfaced indicating that Nyakera had made numerous illegal appointments, hiring individuals into high-paying positions without adhering to established procedures or public advertisements.
This unethical practice exacerbated KEMSA's financial challenges and compromised its integrity.
Under Nyakera's leadership, KEMSA faced serious accusations of opaque financial practices, including operating without an approved list of pre-qualified suppliers, which blatantly violated procurement laws.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) responded by launching investigations into his dealings, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Nyakera's public persona suffered further damage following an incident on July 21, 2022, when he was involved in a highly publicized altercation with his sister over land ownership, which was captured on video and widely circulated.
This incident raised serious questions regarding his personal conduct and further tarnished his already beleaguered reputation.
As investigations into his conduct deepened and public outrage mounted, calls for President William Ruto to remove Nyakera grew increasingly vocal.
The accumulating evidence of corruption and mismanagement at KEMSA fueled demands for accountability, culminating in his official removal from his position as Chairman of KEMSA on August 23, 2024.
Even with the controversies that led to his ousting from KEMSA, Nyakera's extensive political connections and adeptness at leveraging them allowed him to secure the chairmanship at the KICC, exemplifying the pervasive influence of political patronage in Kenya.
His apparent belief in his invulnerability and the power he wields serves as a cautionary tale.
Power is transient. It can shift in an instant.
As we keep uncovering the layers of deceit and manipulation defining Nyakera's dealings, we will continue amplifying the voices of victims and hold him accountable for his actions.
No one is above the law.