The Nairobi County Government is reportedly losing more than KSh100 million annually due to an alleged cartel operating within the loading zone allocation system under the county’s Mobility Department.
Business owners across the city have accused some county officials of demanding bribes of up to KSh100,000 before approving loading zones in strategic commercial areas.
The alleged illegal scheme is said to be widespread in major business hubs including the Nairobi Central Business District, Eastleigh, Westlands, Industrial Area and Nairobi West.
According to traders, the cartel is allegedly coordinated by a man identified as Kelvin Wangari, who businessmen claim is not a county employee. He is reportedly working alongside a group of heavily built men tasked with controlling loading zones and collecting illegal payments from traders seeking approvals.
“It is now the norm that before getting approval for a loading zone, you must part with KSh100,000 to Mr Kelvin and his bosses,” said Chakur Yasin, a businessman operating in Parklands.
The traders further claimed that several complaints and letters have been submitted to the county administration over the matter but no action has been taken.
“We have written letters to the Chief Officer Mr Waikenda, but all have fallen on deaf ears. We are now demanding the immediate removal of Mr Kelvin from the Mobility Department,” Yasin added.
The allegations have raised fresh concerns over corruption and revenue leakages within Nairobi County, with traders now calling for urgent investigations and reforms in the allocation and management of loading zones across the city.
County officials had not responded to the allegations by the time of publication.
