MD Battles Ouster as Activist Exposes Mainga Corruption Empire at Kenya Railways and Secret Plot To Extend Term

A governance crusader has lifted the veil on a brazen scheme by Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga to manipulate his way past the mandatory retirement age while allegedly overseeing a staggering multi-billion shilling corruption machine that has bled the state corporation dry.

In an explosive petition filed at the Employment and Labour Relations Court, activist Abdinur Wario has unleashed a devastating catalogue of accusations against the 59-year-old railway boss, painting a damning picture of a man desperately clinging to power even as his tenure crumbles under the weight of corruption scandals.

The activist’s legal missile, set for mentioning on November 19, seeks to torpedo any plans by the Kenya Railways Corporation Board of Directors to extend Mainga’s contract beyond its February 2026 expiry date, arguing that such a move would be a slap in the face of integrity and transparent governance.

At the heart of the petition lies a scorching allegation that Mainga, who should be preparing for terminal leave in accordance with public service regulations, has instead dug in his heels, refusing to relinquish his grip on the lucrative position even as retirement looms large on the horizon.

Wario’s petition unleashes a blistering assault on what he describes as systematic governance rot under Mainga’s watch, accusing the MD of presiding over a sprawling empire of corruption that includes brazen land grabbing, shady tender deals, and the single-sourcing of contracts worth millions of shillings.

The activist claims that prime railway land across Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa has been irregularly carved up and dished out to connected individuals in what amounts to organized theft of public assets.

According to the petition, these dubious land deals form part of a calculated plunder that has seen Kenya Railways hemorrhage billions while Mainga allegedly looked the other way or worse, orchestrated the looting.

The timing of the board’s reported plans to extend Mainga’s tenure has raised eyebrows, with Wario questioning the logic of rewarding a man whose leadership has allegedly been defined by integrity breaches and questionable procurement practices.

The activist argues that extending the contract of an officer on the brink of retirement and dogged by corruption clouds would make a mockery of merit-based leadership principles.

As the November court date approaches, the case threatens to blow wide open the inner workings of Kenya Railways and expose the extent of alleged rot at one of the country’s most strategic state corporations.