The Kenya Airports Authority is once again in the spotlight following serious allegations linking acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mohamud M. Gedi to corruption, abuse of office, and irregular awarding of tenders.
According to multiple insiders, the authority has been operating under questionable management practices that have raised concern among staff and the public.
The new revelations paint a worrying picture of deep-rooted graft in one of Kenya’s most strategic state corporations.
Insiders claim that multimillion-shilling contracts have been awarded to politically connected individuals, including a sitting governor from the North Eastern region.
Many of these tenders allegedly bypassed normal financial procedures and ignored procurement regulations. Staff members say Dr. Gedi maintains firm personal control over nearly every operation within the authority, including high-value projects and payments.
One senior employee, who requested anonymity, said that questioning the CEO is considered risky as he often portrays himself as untouchable.
They added that his leadership has left facilities such as Wilson Airport in poor condition, despite huge sums being allocated for maintenance and improvement.
The controversy surrounding Dr. Gedi has deepened following reports that he was recently denied a U.S. visa. The incident has intensified scrutiny around his leadership and added pressure for government agencies to review activities at KAA.
Many believe the visa issue signals deeper problems involving integrity and accountability within the organization.
One of the most controversial issues involves a Sh243 million legal contract that was awarded to a newly registered law firm, Triple OK Law Advocates LLP, to defend cases connected to the cancelled Adani Group lease at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Records show that the legal services budget was initially set at Sh12.5 million, meaning the final contract cost was nearly nineteen times higher than expected.
The deal, reportedly approved through direct procurement, was justified as an urgent matter, a claim that has been widely criticized as a cover for deliberate manipulation of the process.
Further scrutiny of documents reveals that Dr. Gedi sought retrospective approval for the contract from the Principal Secretary in charge of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresia Mbaika, only after the funds had already been committed.
This act of seeking authorization after spending the money has raised serious questions about transparency and internal control at the agency.
Reports also indicate similar irregularities at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, where tenders were allegedly awarded under emergency procurement claims.
A whistleblower familiar with previous corruption cases described the situation as a continuation of impunity at the authority’s top level.
Following these revelations, there have been increasing calls for an immediate audit of KAA’s finances. Civil society groups are urging Parliament and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to step in and suspend all implicated officials until investigations are concluded.
They argue that the misuse of public resources at such a critical institution undermines Kenya’s fight against corruption and public trust in state agencies.
Kenyans are demanding that accountability be enforced without political interference.
They insist that integrity in leadership must be upheld, especially in institutions responsible for national infrastructure.
The unfolding scandal at KAA serves as yet another test for the country’s commitment to transparency and good governance.
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