Cyprian Nyakundi has exposed a major scandal in Kilifi County, where proxy companies linked to Governor Gideon Mung’aro are making millions from garbage collection contracts.
At least three companies that have secured lucrative tenders are directly connected to the governor. One of these companies is run by contractor Francis Ngala alongside a businessman.
The revelations have shed light on how these deals are structured to benefit a few individuals while taxpayers continue to suffer. The controversy deepened when contractor Abubakar Joho, also known as Abu or Alpha, was allegedly shortchanged by Ngala in the awarding of a garbage collection tender.
Joho had initially threatened to escalate the issue to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), but Ngala, working closely with the governor, managed to edge him out of the deal.
Interestingly, in a leaked audio recording, Ngala himself is heard complaining that he also lost the tender, indicating a deeper level of manipulation within the system.
One of the most contentious tenders is KCG/WEFNR/1246119/2023/2024 for garbage collection and disposal in Mtwapa town. The contract was awarded to Kaereny Construction and Engineering Supplies Ltd, a company that has been consistently securing garbage collection tenders despite having a poor track record.
Documents show that the company is owned by Final Kadzo Kithi, the wife of businessman Francis Ngala, who is also a close ally and personal assistant to Governor Mung’aro.
This raises serious concerns about conflict of interest and misuse of public resources. When tensions between Ngala and Joho escalated, Governor Mung’aro intervened and called a ceasefire meeting.
However, Joho was eventually sidelined despite submitting a competitive bid.
Private investigations have uncovered that Ngala’s company does not meet the required standards for garbage collection but still managed to secure the deal through bribery at various levels, including the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and county officials.
The county is now on the spotlight for irregularities and suspected misuse of taxpayers’ money. An insider has disclosed that if proper investigations are conducted, Ngala could be implicated in multi-million-shilling fake tender deals facilitated by the governor.
There are also growing calls for the EACC and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to transfer officers stationed in Kilifi, with allegations that they have been compromised to provide favorable reports on the county’s financial dealings.
One source stated, “We know that our boss is looting through his proxy companies, and the culprits are Ngala and other associates who have managed to compromise the EACC and DCI officers.”
Last year, the county came under fire for allegedly deleting a garbage collection tender advertisement from its website.
This move was seen as an attempt to block investigations into the contract, with reports indicating that the contractor was single-sourced.
The county government is now facing increasing pressure over Sh300 million worth of garbage collection tenders that have been questioned by oversight authorities.
One of the questionable tenders is KCG/WEFNR/1246119/2023/2024, which was supposed to be awarded through an open and competitive process.
However, the tendering process has been marred by controversy, leading to growing discontent among residents and local leaders.
Another questionable tender is CGK/MM/OT/027/2023/2024, which was for garbage collection and disposal in Malindi Town and its surrounding areas.
It has become clear that garbage collection in Kilifi has turned into a major cash cow for politically connected individuals, creating conflicts among senior county officials and suppliers.
One incident that stands out is when a county official, Winnie Luwali Wakati, refused to take instructions from Ali Noor regarding inflated supply contracts.
As a result, she was transferred to another department.Ali Noor, who controls several companies handling various contracts in Kilifi, has now declared his intention to run for the Mandera East MP seat.
Reports suggest that he has vowed to channel Sh1 billion through inflated contracts to Governor Mung’aro’s 2027 re-election campaign.
Using his influence, Noor orchestrated Winnie’s removal from the finance department and ensured she was replaced by Yahya Shoshi.
Additionally, he pressured Governor Mung’aro to appoint Idris Haji as the director of finance, in what appears to be a well-coordinated plan to siphon county funds.
The rivalry between Ali Noor and Francis Ngala escalated when Noor demanded a subcontract in garbage collection, which Ngala refused to grant.
Investigations have revealed that Ngala took out a loan with NCBA Bank to buy five garbage trucks, which he is repaying in installments.
Noor, known for his aggressive approach, reportedly warned Ngala that he would not receive any payments from the county unless “his late grandmother resurrects.” He went further, boasting, “I am the shadow governor. If you don’t believe me, call your purported governor and ask about me.”
These revelations highlight the deep-rooted corruption in Kilifi County, where public funds are allegedly being funneled through proxy companies while residents continue to struggle with poor services.
With mounting pressure on Governor Mung’aro, anti-graft agencies are expected to act swiftly to investigate and hold those involved accountable.
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