The shameful state of leadership in Kwale County under Governor Fatuma Achani has been exposed once again. A 61-year-old German investor, Elke Kurz, has reportedly lost Ksh 2 million in a scam linked to people close to the governor. The story, brought to light by the Nyakundi Report, paints a clear picture of how deep corruption has spread in the county, affecting not just local businesses but also foreign investors who come in with hope, only to be ripped off by powerful and well-connected individuals.
Kurz had plans to set up a beach hotel in Diani with her partner Yusuf Salim, but that dream quickly turned into a nightmare. According to the report, Mshenga Ruwa, who serves as Achani’s political advisor, and a businessman named Richard Onsongo lured her into believing they could help secure all permits needed for the project. After paying for the necessary documents, construction began in June 2023. But soon after, goons reportedly sent by the same group began to vandalize the site, halting progress completely.
Kurz, with proof of payments including M-Pesa records, has been left stranded and without any help from the same county government she tried to follow the rules with.This isn’t an isolated case. There is a long and dirty trail of corruption in Kwale County, and Governor Fatuma Achani has shown little to no action in stopping it. In fact, many believe she is part of the problem. Her inner circle has become a web of extortion, threats, and bribery, especially targeting investors who lack political protection.
The system in Kwale doesn’t reward honesty it punishes it. Those who try to follow the rules, like Kurz, are milked dry by greedy officials, and then dumped without justice. Cases like the one involving Hemed Mwabudzo, the County Executive Member for Water Services, show that the rot goes far beyond land permits. Mwabudzo is facing impeachment by the County Assembly after serious allegations that he helped divert funds meant for water projects.
The money disappeared, residents still lack water, and county leaders continue living large. Contractors in Kwale are also crying out. Some have worked on projects but have not been paid. Finance officers are allegedly demanding bribes before releasing funds. A work plan recently passed for a staff insurance company raised eyebrows, as word spread that kickbacks were part of the deal.
The Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, has pointed fingers at both governors and MCAs, accusing them of working together to loot public funds. In fact, Kwale County only managed to collect 47.6% of its own revenue target less than Ksh 300 million out of Ksh 600 million further exposing the failure of leadership under Achani.
The rest of the money likely ended up in a few people’s pockets.Cyprian Nyakundi has done what most media houses avoid he has given a platform to people like Kurz to tell their stories and here at leaked.co.ke we ensure you get it raw as it.
Through the Nyakundi Report, more and more cases like this are coming to light. His work is not just journalism it’s a lifeline for those abandoned by the system. It is shameful that an investor who brought money and vision to Kwale was instead welcomed with sabotage, theft, and betrayal by people linked to the governor.
Fatuma Achani cannot keep pretending she doesn’t know what her allies are doing. This happened under her watch, and it’s her responsibility. Unless action is taken soon, Kwale County will continue to sink deeper into corruption, becoming a place where dreams are not built but destroyed by the very people entrusted to lead.
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