Former Water Resources Authority (WRA) CEO Mohammed Shurie has launched a bid to become the next governor of Garissa County, a move that has reignited debate over his controversial past in public service.
Shurie’s decision to re-enter the political arena comes despite years of unanswered allegations surrounding his tenure at key public institutions.
During his time at both the Garissa Water Services Board and later at the helm of WRA, Shurie’s leadership was mired in claims of corruption, nepotism, and abuse of office.
Internal audits and whistleblower testimonies pointed to irregular procurement processes, misallocation of funds, and ghost projects—particularly in northern Kenya.
Although he was never prosecuted, the accusations have continued to dog his public image.
Former colleagues and insiders recall a management style defined by centralized power and an environment hostile to dissent.
It is alleged that key tenders were awarded to shell companies linked to his allies, and some water projects were documented as complete, though they never materialized on the ground. “Millions vanished—just like the water we were supposed to deliver,” a former engineer said under anonymity, referencing boreholes that existed only on paper.
Despite repeated red flags raised by the Auditor-General’s office, no major reforms were initiated under his leadership. Instead, staff members who questioned financial inconsistencies were allegedly sidelined, transferred, or silenced altogether.
Now, Shurie has resurfaced with an ambitious promise to transform Garissa into a “Silicon Valley of service delivery.”
But critics argue that his campaign is less about vision and more about political rehabilitation. Observers claim he is leaning heavily on support from his Ogaden clan base to restore his image and secure votes.
