A senior public official named Calvince Thomas now sits at the centre of serious allegations that have left a businessman counting heavy losses and questioning his trust in public institutions.
The businessman claims that Thomas, who serves as the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) Homa Bay County Manager, used his position to convince him to part with millions of shillings in exchange for promised road construction tenders that never materialised.
According to the complainant, the ordeal began when he was introduced to Calvince Thomas as a powerful figure within KERRA who had strong influence over the allocation of rural road projects in Homa Bay County.
At the time, the businessman was looking to grow his construction work and believed that engaging with a senior official would help his companies fairly access government tenders. He says Thomas spoke confidently about KERRA operations and ongoing projects, creating the impression that he had direct control over who won contracts.
The discussions, the victim claims, focused on road works planned and ongoing in Ndhiwa and Kasipul constituencies. These areas regularly receive funding for rural road construction, making the opportunity appear realistic and timely.
The businessman alleges that Thomas described himself as a key gatekeeper, someone whose approval could determine which contractors succeeded. Over several interactions, trust was built through repeated assurances and explanations that sounded official and convincing.
Despite the seriousness of the promises, the complainant admits there was never any written agreement. No formal contract was signed, and no official paperwork was provided.
Instead, he says he relied on Thomas’s senior position, confidence, and claims of strong backing from powerful figures. These factors, he explains, discouraged him from questioning the process or insisting on formal documentation.
The victim states that on October 30, 2023, he met Thomas at Willow Garden in Kileleshwa, Nairobi. He recalls the meeting clearly, saying it took place at around 12:37 PM. During that meeting, he alleges that he handed over Ksh 2 million in cash to Thomas.
The money was reportedly described as a facilitation fee meant to secure priority consideration for five KERRA projects, three linked to Ndhiwa Constituency and two to Kasipul Constituency.
According to the complainant, Thomas assured him that his companies would be favoured once the tendering process moved forward.
Months later, when no tenders were awarded, the businessman says he began to raise concerns. He recounts a follow-up meeting held in February 2023 at Artcaffé in Hurlingham. During that meeting, he claims Thomas changed his explanation and said the projects had been awarded to companies linked to powerful government figures, including Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omolo.
The complainant stresses that these claims were made by Thomas and have not been independently confirmed.
The businessman further alleges that Thomas spoke openly about other people who had reported him to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations after losing money.
According to the complainant, Thomas claimed those reports involved losses of about Ksh 2.6 million and dismissed them, allegedly saying his political connections made him untouchable. The victim says these remarks were intimidating and made him fearful of reporting the matter immediately.
Instead of refunding the money, the complainant says a new verbal agreement was reached. Thomas allegedly promised to allocate alternative projects before the end of the financial year.
However, the businessman claims this promise was never honoured. He says Thomas later stopped answering calls and messages, cutting off communication completely.
So far, the complainant admits he has not filed a formal police report. Fear, uncertainty, and the alleged claims of political protection have delayed action. However, he says the financial loss has placed serious strain on his business and family, pushing him to consider reporting the matter.
These allegations have not been tested in court. Efforts to obtain a response from Calvince Thomas were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
The Interior Principal Secretary mentioned in the claims has not been linked to any wrongdoing, and the allegations involving his name remain unproven.
The account raises important questions about integrity, abuse of office, and the need for stronger oversight and accountability within public institutions such as KERRA.
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