A group of activists has launched a lawsuit against Philemon Kiprop Kandie, the Director General of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), amid serious allegations of corruption and irregular tender awards.
The case, spearheaded by Francis Awino, president of Bunge La Mwananchi, aims to hold Kandie accountable for what the petitioners claim are gross misconduct and violations of public procurement laws.
The activists accuse Kandie of presiding over a system rife with corruption, particularly in the awarding of several lucrative road contracts.
The allegations specifically target three tenders—RWC 647, RWC 648, and RWC 652—related to road projects in Nandi County and other regions.
According to the petitioners, these tenders were awarded under questionable circumstances, violating established procurement regulations.
The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has reportedly confirmed the illegalities surrounding these tenders.
The petitioners contend that the tenders were awarded to companies with financial bids significantly exceeding the budget estimates, in direct contravention of sections 83 and 86 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, as well as Article 227 of the Constitution of Kenya.
In their legal filing, the activists highlight that the eligibility criteria for these tenders were altered multiple times, with various addendums issued without any lawful justification.
Such practices not only undermine the integrity of the procurement process but also erode public trust in governmental institutions responsible for critical infrastructure development.
Moreover, the lawsuit alleges that Kandie abused his authority to manipulate departmental operations, including the purported unprocedural transfer of a key employee, Julius Gakubia, from his position in the maintenance department to a more strategic role within the agency.
Another alarming accusation is that Kandie and other senior managers at KeRRA have established proxy companies that consistently win lucrative tenders. One such company, Shengli Engineering Construct (Group), has been awarded the three controversial tenders despite warnings from the PPRA about conflicts of interest and legal infractions.
The petitioners have not only called for Kandie’s removal from office but have also demanded that he be barred from participating in any future procurement processes.
They assert that his continued presence in the agency jeopardizes the integrity of public service and infrastructure development in Kenya.
“Removal from office is therefore the constitution’s final answer, a safety valve, to an officer or a public servant who mistakes himself for a monarch,” the petition states.
The repercussions of this lawsuit extend beyond just Kandie. The Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary, Davis Chirchir, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have been included as interested parties, suggesting that the investigation may reveal systemic issues within the agency and its oversight bodies.
