NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) Director General Philemon Kandie was dramatically arrested on Friday night at his Nairobi home by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in a renewed crackdown on graft within state agencies.
According to sources close to the investigation, EACC detectives stormed Kandie’s residence on October 3, seizing electronic devices, documents, and other materials before escorting him to the Integrity Centre for interrogation.
The operation is part of a wider probe into alleged financial irregularities during Kandie’s tenure at the helm of KeRRA.
While EACC has yet to issue an official statement on the charges, insiders revealed that investigators are examining procurement trails and accounts tied to multi-billion-shilling road projects.
Kandie’s arrest follows months of speculation after his abrupt resignation in July, two years before his term was due to end.
His exit came amid a High Court petition seeking his removal on claims that he diverted KeRRA funds to finance logistics for the violent June 25 nationwide protests, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
The petition alleged that funds were channeled through shell contractors allegedly linked to politically connected individuals.
In his resignation letter, Kandie stated that he was taking annual leave before officially exiting on October 10, but the sudden move intensified speculation about internal audits and pending investigations.
EACC officers are now reviewing procurement documents, bank records, and internal memos reportedly flagged by past audits.
“The materials seized during the operation will form the basis of the next phase of investigations,” said a senior anti-graft official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case.
Kandie has since been replaced in an acting capacity by Jackson Magondu, the Director of Planning, Design, and Environment at KeRRA.
Governance experts have called for transparency in the ongoing investigation, noting that KeRRA has been one of the most financially exposed parastatals in recent years.
“Accountability in infrastructure spending is critical, given the billions allocated annually for road maintenance and construction,” said Transparency International Kenya director Sheila Mutua.
As investigations continue, the former DG remains under EACC custody pending possible prosecution.
The case adds to a growing list of high-profile corruption probes targeting senior public officers accused of mismanaging public resources.
