Former Transport CS, now Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Caleb Kositany are at the center of explosive allegations involving the deliberate sabotage of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Through his Twitter handle, activist George T Diano accused the two of masterminding a scheme to vandalize the airport’s infrastructure to justify a lucrative partnership with Indian conglomerate Adani Group.
According to Diano, the duo orchestrated damage to JKIA’s roofing, ensuring the facility suffered from persistent leaks and frequent power outages. This alleged sabotage, reportedly carried out late at night to avoid detection, was used as a pretext to involve Adani in the airport’s management.
Intriguingly, the leaks and power outages reportedly stopped immediately after Adani’s entry, despite no significant upgrades being made to the facility.
The accusations extend to Murkomen’s current role as Cabinet Secretary for Sports. Diano claims that funds meant for Kenya’s preparation to host the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Championships (CHAN) were misappropriated under his watch.
As a result, Rwanda has been awarded the hosting rights, a significant embarrassment for Kenya. Murkomen is also accused of eyeing another public-private partnership for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preparations, raising concerns about potential further financial misconduct.
The allegations have triggered a public outcry, with Kenyans calling for accountability and transparency from their leaders. As of now, neither Murkomen nor Kositany has responded to the claims.
The situation has renewed scrutiny of public-private partnerships in Kenya, with critics questioning whether they truly serve the public interest or simply enrich a few individuals.
Whether these allegations lead to investigations remains to be seen, but the revelations have put the spotlight firmly on the ethics of high-ranking officials.