An activist has filed an application in the High Court seeking the removal of Silas Kinoti, the Director General of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) over allegations of corruption and theft of public funds amounting to Sh13.2 billion for the construction of three major roads. 

The accusations focus on three major road projects including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line 5 at Sh6.5 billion, the Nairobi Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and junction improvement project Phase 1 at Sh6.7 billion, and the Nairobi Outering Road improvement project.

The petitioner claims that KURA improperly contracted an international consultancy for the BRT line and the ITS project on May 24, 2022, and May 5, 2022, respectively, violating Section 60 (1) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act 2015. 

It further states that there were delays in starting the BRT project despite Sh174.9 million being allocated for non-financial assets, leading to low absorption of a development partner’s loan.

Public concerns

The petitioner, Ezekiel Oyugi also cited public concerns over the poor design and stalled construction of Ngong Road. 

He seeks court intervention to prohibit further breaches of constitutional rights and freedoms by the respondent.

Oyugi now wants the Constitution and Humans Rights Division to issue orders declaring Kinoti unfit to hold public office for misappropriation of funds.

He accuses Kinoti of irregularly entering into contracts with an international firm for consultancy in the establishment of bus rapid transit line on May 24, 2022 for a period of 39 months and the Nairobi Intelligent Transport system and Junction’s improvement project phase on May 5, 2022 for a period of 34 months.

“A declaration that the respondent (Kinoti) is unfit to hold any public office,” the petitioner seeks.

According to the petitioner, the roads authority has delayed the commencement of works for the establishment of the bus rapid transit project despite Sh174.9 million being set aside for the acquisition of the non- financial assets. 

Oyugi further reveals that the project financing Agreement was irregular and contrary to section 60 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA) of 2015.