KURA Boss Kinoti Vows Not To Resign Even As Gen-Z Lobby Group Renews Calls For His Ouster Amid Multibillion Corruption Allegations

Kenya Urban Roads Authority Director General stands firm against mounting pressure following fraud accusations and court cases

Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) Director General Eng. Silas Kinoti has defiantly rejected calls for his resignation, dismissing as “completely false” widespread speculation that he is preparing to proceed on terminal leave amid mounting corruption allegations and legal challenges.

Speaking through official channels on Friday, July 11, Kinoti made an emphatic statement rejecting the resignation rumors that have circulated widely across social media and various news platforms.

His declaration comes as the embattled roads chief faces intensifying pressure from activists and lobby groups demanding his immediate removal from office.

“I, Eng. Silas Kinoti, Director General of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), am NOT proceeding on terminal leave. The allegations are completely false, misleading, and should be treated with the disregard they deserve,” Kinoti declared in his statement.

The clarification arrives at a particularly turbulent time for Kenya’s road sector leadership, with both KERRA Director General Philemon Kandie and KENHA boss Kungu Ndungu having recently resigned from their positions.

This exodus had fueled speculation that Kinoti might follow suit, especially given the serious legal challenges he currently faces.

Multibillion shilling fraud allegations

Kinoti’s defiant stance comes as he battles serious allegations of financial impropriety involving projects worth over Sh13 billion.

Two activists, Stephen Kiiria and John Karuu, have filed a court petition seeking his temporary suspension pending a comprehensive lifestyle audit.

The activists’ February 2025 court filing alleges “overwhelming illegalities, irregularities and circumvention of the law” in Kinoti’s leadership of KURA.

They claim there has been “corruption, nepotism, tribalism, illegal, unlawful and irregular award of tenders, abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds.”

The corruption allegations center on three major road projects with a combined value of Sh13.2 billion.

These include the establishment of bus rapid transit line 5 costing Sh6.5 billion, the Nairobi intelligent transportation system establishment and junctions improvement project phase 1 valued at Sh6.7 billion, and the Nairobi Outering Road improvement project.

According to the court documents, KURA irregularly entered into contracts with international companies for consultancy services on these projects, with timelines spanning 34.5 to 39 months.

The petitioners also highlighted concerns about the involvement of Reynolds Construction Company, described as a Nigerian-owned firm contracted to construct the Eastern Missing Link Roads covering 16 kilometers across Industrial Area, parts of the Central Business District, and Parklands.

Legal battles and mounting pressure

The legal challenges facing Kinoti have been building momentum since February 2025, when the activists first approached the courts.

Justice Enock Mwita has directed that Kinoti be served with the court papers, with the matter scheduled for mention on March 31 for further directions.

The petitioners are seeking not just his temporary suspension but also a permanent order prohibiting Kinoti from holding his office or executing his duties.

They want him declared unfit to hold any public office, arguing that he has “grossly violated the Constitution and other laws, and is guilty of gross misconduct.”

The activists have specifically cited Chapter 6 of the Constitution, which requires state and public officers to uphold integrity.

They argue that Kinoti has disregarded these constitutional requirements and violated the Leadership and Integrity Act of 2012.

Standing firm against criticism

Despite the mounting legal pressure, Kinoti has remained resolute in his position.

KURA’s management has echoed his message, confirming that no resignation has taken place and emphasizing that all operations continue unchanged.

“We remain fully committed to our mandate of developing and maintaining quality urban roads infrastructure across the country, and I continue to discharge my duties in that capacity without interruption,” Kinoti affirmed in his statement.

The KURA boss has also appealed for restraint in the circulation of unverified claims, urging the public to rely only on official communication channels for updates regarding KURA and its leadership.

“I urge the public not to fall prey to misinformation and to rely only on verified communication channels for updates regarding KURA and its leadership,” he stressed.

A tenure under scrutiny

Kinoti has headed KURA since June 2020, bringing years of experience in planning and environment roles to the position.

His tenure has been marked by major urban infrastructure projects and reform of road safety standards.

However, the current allegations threaten to overshadow these achievements.

The timing of these corruption allegations is particularly significant given the broader context of accountability demands in Kenya’s public sector.

The involvement of activists and lobby groups, particularly those representing younger demographics, reflects growing public intolerance for perceived corruption and mismanagement in government institutions.

The standoff between Kinoti and his critics highlights the ongoing challenges facing Kenya’s road sector authorities.

With leadership changes already occurring at KERRA and KENHA, the stability of KURA’s leadership becomes crucial for the continuity of urban road development projects across the country.

The case also underscores the increasing role of civil society and activist groups in holding public officials accountable. The legal route chosen by the activists represents a more formalized approach to addressing corruption allegations, moving beyond social media campaigns to court-based interventions.

As the legal proceedings continue, the fate of several multibillion-shilling projects hangs in the balance. The outcome of the court case could have significant implications not only for Kinoti’s career but also for the broader governance of Kenya’s urban road infrastructure development.

The matter is expected to continue generating public interest as it progresses through the legal system, with stakeholders closely watching to see whether Kinoti’s defiant stance will withstand the mounting pressure or whether the courts will ultimately compel his removal from office.