A storm is brewing in the corridors of power after a bold petition filed in the High Court has accused one of Kenya’s top infrastructure bosses of presiding over a multi-billion shilling scandal riddled with stalled roads, ghost projects, and serious procurement breaches.
Peter Makachia, a concerned citizen and anti-corruption crusader, is seeking the immediate suspension of Eng. Silas Kinoti, the Director General of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), over what he terms “a constitutional crisis of governance, fiscal recklessness and systemic abuse of office.”
In explosive court papers filed on 18th June 2025, Makachia alleges that under Eng. Kinoti’s leadership, over KES 687 million was irregularly disbursed to contractors — including high-profile firms such as Cementers Construction Company — for road projects that remain either incomplete or totally stalled.
The case, set for urgent hearing on July 3rd, 2025, could have far-reaching consequences for Kenya’s transport sector, donor relations, and public finance accountability. It is being closely watched by international partners such as JICA, the African Development Bank, and the Embassy of Spain, all of whom are listed as interested parties.
Public Roads, Private Gains?
According to Makachia’s petition, the rot runs deep. He cites damning findings from the Auditor-General’s report for FY 2021/2022, along with parliamentary Hansard records, to support claims that millions of taxpayers’ shillings have vanished through irregular procurements, non-existent environmental approvals, and ghost supervision of donor-funded projects.
Makachia laments that Kenyans are paying the price: delayed infrastructure, deteriorating road safety, soaring transport costs, and devastating injuries from poor construction. “This is no longer just a governance issue – it’s a human crisis,” the Petition reads.
He adds that Eng. Kinoti’s continued stay in office is a threat to transparency, noting that his position gives him direct control over ongoing disbursements and key project approvals, even as questions swirl over his past decisions.
What the Petitioner Wants
Makachia is not mincing words. He is asking the court to:
– Suspend Kinoti from office pending investigations.
– Freeze further funding to KURA until transparency reforms are instituted.
– Direct the Auditor-General, Parliament, and the EACC to commence full-scale audits, hearings, and prosecutions within 6 months.
– Compel the government to recover Sh687 million allegedly paid out irregularly.
– Declare Kinoti unfit to hold public office and permanently bar him from reappointment.
– Mandate KURA to compensate affected communities and publish a complete status report of all projects under its watch.
A Defining Test for Leadership and Integrity
The case — filed under Articles 10, 35, 43, 73, 201, and 227 of the Constitution — strikes at the heart of Kenya’s fight against impunity in public office. It will test not just the robustness of the judiciary, but also whether government institutions can self-correct in the face of whistleblower-led accountability.
Public watchdogs and civil society groups have already hailed the petition as “a bold step toward ending systemic mismanagement in the transport sector.”
“This Petition may just be the litmus test for Kenya’s constitutional promise on integrity and prudent financial stewardship,” remarked an analyst at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA).
What Next?
All eyes now turn to Milimani High Court on 3rd July 2025, where Justice is expected to decide whether Kinoti should be immediately suspended and whether taxpayers can finally see justice for billions lost in the potholes of corruption.
