WaterFund CEO Ombai’s Corruption Scandal; How Kenyans Are Losing Millions and Investors Duped

The Water Sector Trust Fund (WaterFund), a Kenyan state corporation tasked with financing water and sanitation services in marginalized areas, is at the center of a deepening corruption scandal that has thrust its Chief Executive Officer, Willis Ombai, into the spotlight.

Allegations of bribery, extortion, and mismanagement of funds have not only jeopardized Ombai’s leadership but also exposed systemic corruption within the agency, raising questions about its ability to fulfill its mandate.

Ombai, now fighting to save his job, claims he is being targeted for extortion by senior officials in President William Ruto’s administration, further complicating an already volatile situation.

Bribery Allegations and Extortion Claims

Ombai’s troubles escalated after reports surfaced that he allegedly paid a Ksh 10 million bribe to Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to secure his position as CEO, sidelining more qualified candidates.

Sources close to Ombai claim that before this alleged deal with Wahome, he was extorted for millions of shillings by high-ranking officials within the government.

These claims paint a picture of a CEO entangled in a web of corruption and coercion, struggling to maintain his grip on power.

In a desperate bid to retain his position, Ombai is reportedly seeking intervention from both President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Sources indicate he has held discussions with figures aligned with the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), hoping to broker a deal to extend his tenure.

However, his efforts are complicated by the mounting allegations of corruption within the WaterFund, which have attracted the attention of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

A Culture of Corruption at WaterFund

The WaterFund, established under the Water Act of 2016 to provide grants for water and sanitation projects in underserved areas, has become a focal point for allegations of mismanagement and fraud.

Insiders describe the agency as a conduit for cartels operating within the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, county water bodies, and related agencies.

These cartels are accused of siphoning off donor funds and taxpayer money through inflated contracts and kickback schemes.

Ombai is alleged to have orchestrated a sophisticated system of corruption, including the creation of proxy companies to secure tenders and extract kickbacks.

A junior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Ombai demands at least 10 percent of payments made to contractors and suppliers, while shortlisted bidders are required to pay substantial sums to secure contracts.

“It’s an open secret,” the officer said. “You can’t get a tender without paying up.”

Audit reports have further exposed financial irregularities at the WaterFund.

The 2021/2022 financial year audit flagged a questionable disbursement of Ksh 37,182,159 to Noltuesh Water under the Community-Led Sanitation and Governance (CLSG) programme, with Ksh 5,467,479 unaccounted for.

Another audit query raised concerns over Ksh 24,650,000 paid to Amatsi Water Services Company Limited, despite ongoing investigations into a prior advance of Ksh 26,659,238 from the 2020/2021 financial year.

Intimidation and Proxy Dealings

Mbai’s leadership style has also come under scrutiny, with accusations that he intimidates staff to maintain secrecy around the agency’s operations.

Over the past two weeks, he is said to have warned employees against speaking to the media, threatening severe repercussions for any leaks.

This culture of fear has stifled internal accountability, allowing corrupt practices to flourish unchecked.

Beyond the WaterFund, Ombai is implicated in corrupt dealings at the Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA), where he allegedly oversees illicit activities involving individuals such as Daniel Mwaringa, Martin Tsuma, Hamid Mbarak, and Stephen Masai.

Masai, in particular, is a controversial figure linked to allegations of sexual exploitation.

The CWWDA has already seen its Human Resource Manager, Simon Charo Menza, interdicted after being recorded admitting to accepting bribes from job seekers and tender bidders.

Parliamentary Scrutiny and Public Outcry

The WaterFund’s troubles have not gone unnoticed by lawmakers.

A parliamentary oversight committee recently questioned the agency’s relevance, citing its failure to effectively finance community-level water resource services, a core component of its mandate.

Critics argue that the WaterFund has become a bloated bureaucracy, serving the interests of corrupt officials rather than the public.

Sources claim he has amassed significant assets in a short period, a stark contrast to the struggles faced by communities in marginalized areas who continue to lack access to clean water and sanitation.

The EACC’s impending investigations into the WaterFund’s tendering processes are expected to shed further light on these allegations, but many Kenyans are skeptical about whether justice will be served.

Ombai’s Defense

Ombai has publicly denied the allegations, framing himself as a victim of political maneuvering.

Ombai Now claims that senior government officials are extorting him to force him out of office, a narrative that has gained traction among his allies.

“The WaterFund is being targeted by powerful forces who want to control its resources,” he said.

However, Mbai’s attempts to rally political support may be too little, too late.

The EACC’s investigations, combined with growing public and parliamentary pressure, could spell the end of his tenure.

As the EACC prepares to probe the WaterFund, the public awaits answers. Will Ombai’s allegations of extortion hold up, or are they a desperate attempt to deflect blame? Can the WaterFund be salvaged, or has it become irredeemably tainted by corruption? For now, the embattled CEO remains in the eye of the storm, fighting to save his job while the nation grapples with the consequences of systemic graft.