Court Showdown Looms as Whistleblower Seeks Suspension of KURA Boss Over Sh687 Million Scandal
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By Dennis Wanyonyi
Nairobi, Kenya – A high-stakes legal battle is set to unfold in Nairobi after a whistleblower filed a damning petition in the High Court seeking the immediate suspension of Eng. Silas Kinoti, the Director General of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), over allegations of presiding over a KSh687 million procurement scandal.
Peter Makachia, a self-declared anti-corruption crusader and concerned citizen, filed the case on June 18, 2025, accusing Kinoti of “fiscal recklessness, abuse of office, and gross misconduct” in connection with stalled and ghost road projects across the country.
The petition, which is scheduled for urgent hearing on July 3rd, 2025, could have sweeping implications for Kenya’s public works sector, donor-funded infrastructure programs, and public financial accountability. International donors including JICA, the African Development Bank, and the Embassy of Spain have been listed as interested parties in the case.
Stalled Roads, Ghost Projects, and Irregular Payments
Makachia’s petition references the Auditor-General’s Report for FY 2021/2022 and Hansard records to allege that over Sh687 million was irregularly paid out to contractors — including prominent firms like Cementers Construction Company — for incomplete or totally stalled road projects under KURA’s supervision.
He argues that despite the massive expenditure, many projects have not been delivered, and critical requirements like environmental impact assessments and project supervision were either ignored or falsified.
“This is not just a governance issue. It is a human crisis,” the petition reads. “Road users are being endangered daily while billions are lost.”
Makachia insists that Eng. Kinoti’s continued presence in office could compromise investigations and allow further misuse of public funds.
Demands to the Court
In a sweeping call for accountability, Makachia is asking the court to:
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Suspend Eng. Kinoti pending the conclusion of investigations.
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Freeze all KURA disbursements until oversight reforms are implemented.
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Direct the Auditor-General, Parliament, and EACC to launch a coordinated audit, investigation, and prosecution within six months.
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Compel recovery of Sh687 million allegedly lost through irregular procurements.
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Permanently bar Kinoti from holding any public office.
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Mandate KURA to publicly disclose project statuses and compensate affected communities.
A Litmus Test for Public Integrity
The case, filed under Articles 10, 35, 43, 73, 201, and 227 of the Constitution, could set a precedent in holding senior public officers accountable under Kenya’s integrity laws.
Governance experts say the case is more than just a personnel matter — it is a test of constitutional integrity and institutional self-correction.
“This is a defining moment for Kenya’s anti-corruption framework,” said a policy analyst at KIPPRA. “It will show whether whistleblowers can safely trigger justice and whether institutions can clean their own houses.”
Already, civil society groups have applauded the petition as a bold and timely move.
Eyes on the Court
With the hearing scheduled for July 3rd at the Milimani High Court, public anticipation is high. Justice is expected to rule on whether to issue a temporary suspension and grant interim measures, including the freeze on KURA disbursements.
If granted, the orders could significantly alter the operational landscape at KURA and set in motion a broader reckoning in the public infrastructure sector.
As Kenya’s roads continue to crack under the weight of delayed projects and corruption allegations, many citizens are hoping that this case will help pave a new path — one marked by transparency, accountability, and justice.
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