Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has been embroiled in a series of financial and operational crises, with its Managing Director, Philip Mainga, at the center of several corruption allegations.
Under his leadership, the corporation has seen staggering losses, turning it into a massive burden on Kenyan taxpayers.
In a scandal that has left many Kenyans in shock, billions of shillings have reportedly vanished from the coffers of Kenya Railways in a fraudulent land compensation scheme.
The scheme, which dates back to December 2023, allegedly involved compensation payments for land in the Dupoto/Dafur Settlement Scheme in Embakasi.
Three proxies were issued dubious land titles and subsequently paid billions of taxpayers’ money.
The land in question is a prime 90-acre plot strategically located between the Nairobi National Park, the flight path, and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), purportedly required for a major Kenya Railways project.
According to a lease document issued by the Republic of Kenya under the Land Registration Act (No. 3 of 2012) and the Land Act (No. 6 of 2012), the parcel of land in Nairobi, identified as Nairobi/Block 125/2157, was leased to Likam Ole Kiambu, David Goligoli Ntete, and Victor Ochieng Ogweno as trustees of the Dupoto/Dafur Settlement Welfare Scheme.
The lease was granted for a term of 99 years, starting from 1st April 2023, covering approximately 37.86 hectares.
The payment for the lease was shockingly low—only 72 Kenyan shillings as a stand premium, with a peppercorn rent to be paid annually.
The document bears official stamps, including one indicating it was received by the Nairobi registry on 19 April 2023.
However, the deeper one digs, the murkier the story becomes. Documents reveal that these titles were issued suspiciously fast, raising serious concerns about the legality of the transaction.
The proxies, widely believed to be fronts for powerful figures within the corridors of power, walked away with billions in compensation to “vacate” land they likely never legally owned.
DCI Investigation Shut Down by Statehouse?
As the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) began to investigate the land scam, they were reportedly blindsided by a call from Statehouse, ordering them to drop the case immediately.
Those familiar with the case describe the shock and frustration of the investigating officers, who were allegedly left wondering why such a high-profile case, involving the siphoning off of billions, would be shut down so abruptly.
The question lingering on everyone’s mind is—who is being protected? Why would Statehouse interfere in a matter involving such significant loss of public funds?
Railways’ Corrupt Web of Deception
Sources within Kenya Railways claim that the rot runs deeper than initially suspected. The former Board of Kenya Railways, which was fired by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, allegedly knew about the scandal but did nothing to stop it.
In fact, many believe the board was complicit, and when the heat got too much, they were quietly replaced by individuals loyal to powerful political figures.
It’s been alleged that Duale’s brother was brought in to cover up the mess, putting a lid on the scandal before it could explode.
Murkomen’s move to sack the board has been interpreted as damage control, aimed at placating public outrage without addressing the real issue—who authorized and benefited from the fraudulent compensation scheme?
EACC’s Deafening Silence
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which many expected to take up the investigation after the DCI was forced to step back, has remained curiously silent on the matter.
Why has the EACC refused to dig deeper into the billions lost? Is it because of the influence of a senior government figure involved in the scam?
Whispers suggest that the web of corruption extends beyond Kenya Railways, touching some of the highest echelons of power in the country.
Proxies or Puppets?
The three individuals who were quickly issued titles for the 90-acre land remain shrouded in mystery. Many believe they are mere puppets—proxies for high-level officials who are the real beneficiaries of the compensation scheme.
But who are these officials, and how did they manage to orchestrate such a massive theft without raising suspicion?
If the allegations are true, the amount of money lost could have been used for critical development projects, including enhancing the railway infrastructure that has long been neglected.
What Next?
The Kenya Railways scandal is yet another reminder of the entrenched culture of corruption in Kenya’s public sector. The billions siphoned off could have transformed the country’s infrastructure, but instead, they are lining the pockets of a few greedy individuals.
Will the DCI, EACC, or any government institution take a stand against such blatant theft, or will the billions continue to disappear, with no consequences for those involved?
As the case unravels, one thing is certain: Kenyans deserve answers. The people demand to know who benefited from the scheme, why the investigation was halted, and why those tasked with fighting corruption are turning a blind eye to this national disgrace.
