Growing concern is emerging within the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) after reports of a deteriorating work environment and management crisis in its Nyanza regional office.
Insiders have accused the Regional Director, Engineer Julius Mak Oderoh, of exercising excessive control over the office, with allegations pointing to financial manipulation, misuse of power, and an atmosphere of fear among employees.
The growing unrest within the regional office has sparked calls for urgent intervention to restore proper administrative order and accountability.
Information from employees within KeNHA suggests that the director has centralized decision-making to an extent that most operations cannot proceed without his direct approval.
Routine administrative and financial processes reportedly grind to a halt whenever he is unavailable, slowing down the implementation of key government road projects across counties in the Nyanza region.
This level of control, according to multiple internal sources, has eroded confidence among staff who feel stripped of authority and independence in performing their duties.
Engineer Oderoh has also been accused of sidelining his deputy by delegating acting responsibilities to a junior officer during his absences. This action has reportedly created friction among senior staff, many viewing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine established hierarchy and showcase dominance.
Such moves have fueled low morale among employees, who now operate in a culture of caution and fear. Sources describe a deeply demoralized team, hesitant to make even minor decisions without clearance from the regional head, leading to widespread stagnation and inefficiency.
The allegations extend to claims that the Nyanza regional office has become a hub of control, allegedly shielded from oversight mechanisms that normally regulate operations in other regions.
Insiders suggest that the director has been boasting of protection from disciplinary measures due to what they term his financial influence at KeNHA headquarters.
It is alleged that senior officials in Nairobi benefit from payments to contractors under the regional office’s control, creating a network of mutual interest that discourages accountability.
This situation, according to staff, has significantly weakened the delivery of essential infrastructure services in Nyanza. Road maintenance and construction projects have faced persistent delays, frustrating both contractors and residents who depend on a reliable transport network.
Employees describe the work environment as toxic, characterized by favoritism, lack of transparency, and fear of victimization for questioning directives.
KeNHA, established under the Kenya Roads Act of 2007, plays a central role in managing and maintaining Kenya’s trunk road network critical for national connectivity and economic development.
The reported dysfunction in the Nyanza region therefore poses a serious concern for the authority’s credibility and efficiency.
Transport stakeholders and civil society voices are urging the KeNHA Board, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the Ministry of Roads and Transport to take swift action.
They are calling for an independent audit of both financial and administrative practices within the Nyanza office to establish accountability and restore order.
Observers argue that unless firm steps are taken to rein in the alleged misuse of power and rebuild internal trust, the authority risks compromising not only regional development but also its broader national mandate of ensuring safe and efficient highways across Kenya.
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