Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA) officials are facing accusations of bribery in a Ksh 6 billion tender scandal.
A report shared by Cyprian Is Nyakundi on X, indicate that senior officials allegedly received Ksh 30 million as a bribe from a contractor to influence the awarding of the project.
The transaction is said to have taken place at a Malindi hotel, followed by a meeting at Malindi Water offices. The tender involves the construction of the Mwache Trunk Main South Mainland Transmission Main and Dongo Kundu Reservoir, as well as the improvement of drinking water and sanitation systems in Mombasa-Mwache under different tender numbers.
CWWDA Chief Executive Officer Martin Tsuma, in a letter dated 19th January 2025, notified applicants of the companies that were successfully pre-qualified for the tenders.
Among the selected firms are China Railway No. Engineering Group Company Limited, Arab Contractors (Osman Company Limited), Zakhem Construction Kenya Limited, and Stecol Corporation JV Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute.
In a separate letter on 27th January 2025, Tsuma also clarified tender details to some of the contractors involved in the project. Despite the official communication, there are claims that the prequalification process was manipulated through bribery.
The projects are under close monitoring by President William Ruto, who has been visiting the Coast region. However, concerns have emerged over corruption at CWWDA, with CEO Martin Tsuma and Board Chairman Daniel Mwaringa at the center of the scandal.
They are accused of working with other directors to facilitate the Ksh 30 million bribe, allegedly to determine the final recipient of the tenders. Tsuma, who has been acting CEO, has previously been investigated over corruption allegations, while Mwaringa is suspected of serving the interests of powerful state officials.
Activists and lobby groups have raised concerns over the ongoing corruption at CWWDA. They argue that while billions are being spent, residents of the Coast region continue to suffer from a worsening water crisis.
Activist Yussuf Abdalla, speaking on behalf of five lobby groups, called on State House to intervene. He urged Head of Public Service Felix Koskei to open corruption files related to CWWDA and take action against those implicated.
This is not the first time Tsuma has been accused of corruption. He was previously under investigation for irregularities in the awarding of a security and guarding services tender. The recruitment process for a substantive CEO has also been tainted by bribery allegations.
One applicant, Abdikadir Mohammed from Mandera, allegedly paid Ksh 10 million to board members to secure the position. Reports indicate that Hamid Mbarak, a director at CWWDA, received Ksh 2.7 million from the bribe, with CCTV footage capturing the transaction at The Oak Restaurant on Links Road in Mombasa.
Several other candidates have been shortlisted for the CEO position, including Abdulhakim Aboud Bwana from Lamu, Abedi Joseph Malusha from Taita Taveta, Ahmed Adan Hefow from Wajir, Biwott Gilbert Kipkorir from Uasin Gishu, CPA Florence Tabu Birya from Kilifi, and Eng. Ndunya David Ngumbao from Kilifi. Others include Hamoud Mwinyi Mguza from Mombasa, Ibrahim Ahmed Sane from Tana River, Kennedy Tembo Francis, Richard Kibengo Wandana from Taita Taveta, and Stella Wawuda Tayo from Taita Taveta.
Amid the bribery allegations, CWWDA recently interdicted Human Resource Manager Simon Charo Menza over misconduct, abuse of office, and corruption. Charo had applied for the CEO position but reportedly fell out with Tsuma and the board, leading to his suspension.
The ongoing leadership wrangles and corruption cases at the agency have raised concerns over the integrity of CWWDA’s operations. President Ruto is said to have been briefed on the scandal, and sources indicate that changes at the agency may happen soon.
The emerging corruption allegations have put the agency on the spotlight, with calls for accountability growing louder. Residents and activists are demanding swift action to ensure that those responsible for mismanaging funds and engaging in bribery are held accountable.
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