The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) closes the year 2025 under intense scrutiny, with Director General Eng. Silas Kinoti and the agency repeatedly cited in a string of corruption-related allegations that have sparked public outrage, legal action and calls for accountability.
Eng. Kinoti, who secured an extension of his tenure under what some oversight groups termed “unclear circumstances,” has faced sustained criticism over what lobbyists and civil society organisations describe as his “failure to reform a troubled and corruption-ridden agency.”
KURA, mandated to develop and maintain urban road networks, has been accused of presiding over stalled projects, prolonged delays and questionable procurement practices. Several lobby groups claim that despite its substantial budgetary allocations, progress on critical urban roads remains dismal.
Various complainants have alleged the existence of a kickback scheme involving senior officials, including members of the board. According to petitions filed in court earlier in the year, the alleged scheme involves bribes paid to influence contractor payments—claims that have intensified concerns about systemic malpractice within the agency.
In February, oversight bodies and advocacy groups filed a case seeking to compel Eng. Kinoti to step aside to allow what they termed “unhindered and independent investigations.” The petitioners also argued that the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) should be permitted to carry out its statutory mandate without interference.
KURA is also battling new and ongoing claims of tribal favoritism in staffing decisions, as well as the alleged illegal, unlawful and irregular award of tenders, issues that have frequently been raised in parliamentary committee hearings and watchdog reports.
The Director General, together with several senior managers, was earlier placed on the spot over alleged procurement and implementation irregularities in the construction and improvement of three major road projects valued at Sh13.2 billion. Oversight bodies said the discrepancies raised substantial audit red flags requiring further examination.
While Eng. Kinoti has occasionally dismissed some of the allegations as “malicious and politically motivated,” critics say he has yet to offer a detailed public accounting addressing the numerous questions surrounding governance, stalled works and procurement integrity.
As 2025 draws to a close, pressure continues to mount on KURA’s leadership to restore public trust, accelerate stalled road projects and demonstrate tangible commitment to transparency in one of the country’s most closely watched infrastructure agencies.
