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Three activists have filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of Philemon Kiprop Kandie, Director General of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), over serious allegations of corruption and misconduct.
The activists, led by Fransis Owino, President of Bunge La Mwananchi, alongside Fatma Shahenza and Wahome Muchuno, have accused Kandie of violating public procurement laws and engaging in corrupt practices.
The activists’ legal action centers on claims that Kandie awarded tenders unlawfully and engaged in misconduct during the evaluation process for tenders RWC 647, RWC 648, and RWC 652. According to the complaint, KeRRA awarded these projects to the highest bidder in October 2023, leading to significant financial losses for taxpayers.
The most alarming accusation involves the tender number RWC 647, which was awarded to Shengli Engineering Construction Group. The activists allege that taxpayers have lost over Ksh. 1 billion due to irregularities in this particular tender. The lawsuit contends that Kandie’s actions were a gross violation of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act and other regulatory frameworks governing public procurement.
The activists have called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to urgently investigate the matter. They have also demanded that Kandie either resign or be removed from office for his alleged constitutional violations. Additionally, they are pushing for a criminal prosecution and a lifestyle audit to be conducted to uncover any further wrongdoing.
Owino, Shahenza, and Muchuno argue that Kandie’s alleged misconduct undermines the integrity of public procurement processes and calls into question the management of KeRRA. “The level of corruption and mismanagement highlighted in this case is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to public trust and resources. We urge the EACC to act swiftly and decisively,” said Owino.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the ongoing battle against corruption in Kenya’s public sector. The outcome of this legal action could have far-reaching implications for governance and accountability within government agencies.
