Housing Mafia: Tribal Cartels, Fake Tenders & Power Wars Rock NHC

A storm is brewing within the National Housing Corporation (NHC), as infighting, tribal cartels, corrupt tender deals and power-hungry executives threaten to paralyze the state agency entrusted with delivering affordable homes to millions of Kenyans.

At the heart of the chaos is a bitter power struggle between NHC Managing Director David Mathu and State Department of Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga. Sources familiar with the rift claim Mathu, an ambitious quantity surveyor, has been lobbying behind the scenes to replace Hinga as PS — a move that has deeply unsettled the ministry’s top brass.

The fallout has reportedly led to efforts by Hinga to block the renewal of Mathu’s contract, which expires later this year. But Mathu isn’t backing down. Backed by powerful allies, including Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Esther Wahome, Mathu is pushing to stay on, escalating tensions that now threaten the delivery of key housing projects under the affordable housing initiative.

While the NHC board chaired by former Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu remains publicly silent, insiders paint a picture of a deeply fractured institution, plagued by tribalism and nepotism.

Shockingly, all the key power players including Wahome, Hinga, Mathu, and Affordable Housing Board acting CEO Sheila Waweru, hail from the same ethnic group, fuelling claims that tribal alliances have replaced merit in hiring, promotions, and appointments.

“The boardrooms at NHC have become tribal war zones. Merit is dead. It’s all about who you know and what side of the ethnic divide you fall on,” said one senior insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The situation is further complicated by mounting corruption allegations.

A dossier filed with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and seen by Kenya Insights, details disturbing patterns of favoritism, irregular recruitment, and financial mismanagement.

According to whistleblowers, key acting positions at NHC are awarded through backdoor lobbying rather than transparent processes. Recruitment drives routinely collapse under the weight of corruption claims. And in a worrying trend, certain junior staff members are elevated above more qualified seniors — allegedly to allow room for looting and silencing of internal dissent.

One of the most explosive claims involves acting CEO Sheila Waweru, who is accused of involvement in shady tender deals and maintaining a close relationship with flamboyant tycoon Sam Mburu, husband to Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika raising concerns of political protectionism at play.

Affordable Housing Board CEO Sheila Waweru

The rot extends to the finance department, where tribal favoritism allegedly saw one accountant, Josephine Wambui, leapfrog her superior, Simeon Kirui, and assume acting responsibilities. “It’s a clear case of tribal calculations outweighing professionalism,” another insider told Kenya Insights.

Staff imprests meant for official duties are reportedly being abused, with some employees pocketing cash without ever leaving Nairobi. Budget planning is also under fire, with multiple projects launched without guaranteed funding, pushing NHC into a financial crisis. At the time the EACC complaint was filed, the agency reportedly owed over KSh 200 million to contractors and service providers, with fears it could soon become technically insolvent.

Meanwhile, employee welfare has taken a backseat. Staff complain of sanctioned absenteeism, non-compliance with official leave regulations, and a toxic environment where whistleblowers are sidelined and tribal alignments dictate career trajectories.

Sources also say some board members have been misled into endorsing questionable resolutions, raising concerns that the rot runs deep from top executives to procurement offices.

As the EACC begins investigating the claims, the big question remains: will there be accountability, or will the “housing mafia” continue to thrive under the guise of delivering homes to the people?

For now, Kenyans waiting for affordable homes are left with unfinished projects, unpaid contractors, and a state agency tearing itself apart from the inside.