Mainga, Captain Ruto, top list of parastatal bosses who are bribing MPs

Just a few days after President William Ruto called out Members of Parliament over bribery and extorting at committee levels,it has now been established that some parastatal heads having been bribing MPs to avoid appearing for grilling or for favourable reports.

Kenya Railways boss Philip Mainga and counterpart Captain William Ruto of Kenya Ports Authority are some of the leading calprits.

The list below names some of the parastatal heads who are often bribing MPs

1. Philip Mainga – Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) Managing Director

Allegations & Investigations:

Accused of orchestrating a flawed contract with Afristar that cost KRC approximately KSh 1.4 million per day in losses.

Unilaterally leased container yards and buildings at Makongeni (earning KSh 23 million monthly) without board approval, resulting in over KSh 400 million in losses.

Implicated in massive land-grabbing and improper lease arrangements, including subdividing and leasing land in Nakuru, Sleeper Press, Thika, Bunyala Road, and around Nairobi/Syokimau SGR stations without transparent procedures.

A Treasury report shows Kenya Railways posted KSh 33.5 billion in losses by June 2023 under his leadership.

Citizens and activists have often petitioned the High Court to mandate action by EACC and DCI over multiple procurement and land abuses, including backdated tenders and real estate schemes benefiting associates (e.g., his fiancée’s company, Chocolate City development).

Mainga remains one of the most prominently accused parastatal heads at the moment.

He has recently skipped summons by an oversight committee with investigations indicating he parts with at least 5-10 million to committee members.

2. Stephen Ogenga – Director General, National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)

Arrested by the EACC alongside his wife for alleged tender fraud involving KSh 28.4 million in the 2017/18 procurement of sewing and training machines.

3. Stanvas Ong’alo – Acting DG, National Museum of Kenya

Recommended for suspension by EACC for alleged embezzlement of KSh 490 million through irregular payments.

4. Benjamin Kai Chilumo – CEO, Huduma Centre

Under scrutiny for corruption allegations dating back to his time as Kilifi County’s Chief Finance Officer.

5. Peter Gitaa Koria – CEO, of Kenya

Investigated by EACC for procurement irregularities in supplies for the institution.

6. Anthony Wamukota – GM, Design & Construction, KETRACO

Facing corruption allegations in procurement linked to the 400 kV Loiyangalani power transmission project.

7. Terry Ramadhani – CEO, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA)

Implicated in a KSh 3.7 billion tender scandal involving anti-malaria nets from the Global Fund. Suspended in May 2023.

8. Bernard Njiraini – MD, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)

Suspended after suspected release of contaminated sugar into the market. Had to part with millions to parliamentary oversight committee committees.

9. Silas Simiyu – MD, Geothermal Development Company (GDC)

Among 19 parastatal managers charged over irregular procurement of “Rig Movers” (2012/13 period) and other dubious contracts.

10. Evans Ngibuini – Acting MD, National Water Conservation & Pipeline Corporation (NWCPC)

Arrested with procurement committee members over irregularities including the West Pokot dam project.

11. Charles Tanui – MD, Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC)

Arrested among others for a suspicious payment of KSh 30 million to “Redline” for autotransformers.

Richard Lang’at (NSSF), Mutemi Nzau, Gideon Kyengo, Paul Wasanga (KNEC), etc.: Named in a “list of shame” by EACC during Uhuru’s administration for various improprieties.

NYSC scandal: Adan Harakhe and others jailed for abuse of office and siphoning over Sh791 million.

Anglo-Leasing scandals: Former Permanent Secretary David Mwiraria implicated in stopping graft investigations.

Philip Mainga KRC MD Land grabs, bad contracts, fraud
Stephen Ogenga NITA Director General Tender fraud (KSh 28.4 m)
Stanvas Ong’alo National Museum DG Embezzlement (KSh 490 m)
Benjamin Kai Chilumo Huduma Centre CEO Financial misconduct
Peter Gitaa Koria Bomas of Kenya CEO Procurement irregularities
Anthony Wamukota KETRACO GM Corruption in power project procurement
Terry Ramadhani KEMSA CEO Loss of KSh 3.7 billion tender
Bernard Njiraini KEBS MD Release of contaminated products
Silas Simiyu GDC MD Illicit procurement
Evans Ngibuini NWCPC Acting MD Procurement fraud
Charles Tanui KPC MD Questionable payments
Ferdinand Waititu Kiambu Governor Tender kickbacks, asset freezing
Others (Lang’at, Wasanga…) Various parastatals Budget overruns, bribery, embezzlement

Philip Mainga stands out due to the breadth and gravity of alleged misconduct—spanning massive financial hemorrhaging, systemic land abuses, procurement fraud, and even accusations involving his close associates.

That said, corruption has been endemic across multiple Kenyan parastatals, with high-profile figures like Ogenga, Ramadhani, and others also facing serious charges an investigations.