The Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) is in the process of recruiting a new Director General, but the exercise has been clouded by controversy after whistleblower Nelson Amenya raised concerns over the integrity and transparency of the process.
Amenya, who gained national attention in June 2024 for exposing the controversial Adani deal, has questioned the decision by KeRRA to extend the application deadline for 18 senior positions from January 13 to January 20, 2026.
The extension, which was announced without any public explanation, has sparked speculation over whether the recruitment process has been compromised to accommodate late applicants.
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According to Amenya, the unexplained extension raises serious questions about fairness and transparency, including whose application prompted the change and whether the process was influenced even before interviews begin.
At the centre of the controversy is KeRRA Board Chairman Anthony Mwaura, whose appointment has continued to attract scrutiny due to his past legal troubles.
Mwaura was previously charged alongside former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and 16 others over the alleged embezzlement of KSh357 million from Nairobi County through companies linked to him.
Although Mwaura was acquitted in February 2024, Amenya argues that the acquittal did not amount to a substantive clearance of wrongdoing.
“Yes, he was acquitted in February 2024. But he wasn’t cleared because he was innocent. The prosecution simply failed to show up,” Amenya said.
Court records indicate that the magistrate had earlier described Mwaura as “the main suspect” in the case and had previously declined to terminate the charges against him, making his continued appointment to sensitive public offices contentious.
In July 2024, the High Court nullified Mwaura’s appointment as Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) chairman, terming it illegal because he had been appointed while facing corruption charges. Justice Gikonyo, in his ruling, described Mwaura’s defence as “quite unfortunate and arrogant.”
Despite the ruling, Mwaura was later reassigned in December 2024 to chair KeRRA—an agency responsible for awarding road construction tenders—raising further concerns given that he owns construction companies that bid for government road contracts.
Amenya has also raised alarm over the continued tenure of Eng. Jackson Magondu, who has been serving as Acting Director General since July 11, 2025.
He noted that Magondu’s stay exceeds the six-month limit stipulated under Section 34(3) of the Public Service Commission Act, rendering his continued service unlawful.
More controversially, Amenya claims that Magondu may be seeking to apply for the substantive Director General position while still serving in an acting capacity.
“Sources indicate he may be applying for the same DG position he’s currently acting in. This is a fundamental conflict of interest,” Amenya said.
“How can someone who controls the organisation’s operations, timelines, and influences recruitment criteria also be a candidate? Policy doesn’t allow this. He should step aside.”
KeRRA has engaged the University of Nairobi as consultants to oversee the recruitment process.
However, Amenya alleges that Board Chairman Mwaura has been privately canvassing and engaging the consultants behind the scenes in a bid to influence the outcome of the selection.
The latest controversy adds to KeRRA’s long-running corruption challenges.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has previously recommended prosecutions involving KSh2.048 billion against various KeRRA officials, while former Director General Philemon Kandie resigned in July 2025 amid allegations of misappropriating KSh4.6 billion.
As the recruitment process continues, Amenya has called for greater transparency, strict adherence to the law, and independent oversight to restore public confidence in the authority and ensure the appointment of a credible and qualified Director General.