A petition has been filed in court seeking the removal of Silas Kinoti, the managing director of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) over allegations of corruption and theft of public funds amounting to Sh 13.2 billion meant for the construction of three major roads projects.
Activist Ezekiel Oyugi now wants the Constitution and Humans Rights Division to issue orders declaring Kinoti unfit to hold public office for misappropriation of funds and irregularities over the construction of three multi-billion roads including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line 5.
“A declaration the respondent (Kinoti) is unfit to hold any public office and compel him to step down and pave the way for a fresh appointment for the post,” Oguyi seeks.
The petitioner accuses the Kura boss of overseeing the embezzlement of Sh 13.2 billion that was meant for the three major road projects: the establishment of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line 5 at Sh6.5 billion, the Nairobi Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and junction improvement project phase 1 at Sh 6 .7 billion, and the Nairobi Outering Road improvement project.
Kinoti is also being faulted for irregularly entering into contracts with an international firm for consultancy in the establishment of three major roads.
“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,” Oyugi states in his court papers.
The court papers show that KURA entered into a contract with the foreign entity of the 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. 5 months.
According to the petitioner, the road authority has delayed the commencement of works for the establishment of the bus rapid transit project despite Sh 174.9 million being set aside for the acquisition of the non-financial assets.
” The delayed commencement of works causes low absorption of department partner’s loan,” He argues.
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.
Petitioner Oyugi highlighted 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 respondents.
