Nairobi, Kenya – August 24, 2025
A coalition of civic organisations has raised serious concerns over the transparency and accountability of the tendering process in the multi-billion-shilling Railway City Project spearheaded by Kenya Railways Corporation.
In a joint statement released on Sunday, the organisations accused the corporation of flouting procurement laws and undermining public trust by engaging in single-sourcing and restricted procurement practices.
The groups argue that this goes against the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA), which mandates competitive bidding to safeguard fairness, integrity, and value for money.
The Railway City Project, touted as a flagship urban renewal initiative, is expected to transform Nairobi into a modern, globally competitive hub.
However, civic leaders claim that despite its ambitious vision, the project risks being tainted by opaque dealings.
According to the statement, critical details such as awarded contracts, contract values, and implementation timelines have not been adequately disclosed on the Public Procurement Information Portal (PPIP).
This lack of transparency, they say, severely limits public oversight and accountability.
The organisations further alleged that political interference and favouritism are influencing contract allocations.
They singled out Kenya Railways’ leadership, accusing it of allowing the project to be monopolised by a select few with political connections.
“The project has been left inl the armpits of almighty few—sons and daughters of the most high in the country—under the leadership of Managing Director Phillip Mainga. This is quite alarming,” the statement read.
The groups now want Kenya Railways to publish full procurement details, including bidders, contract amounts, and timelines, to restore confidence in the project.
They also urged oversight bodies such as the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to intervene and ensure compliance with procurement laws.
Despite the concerns, civic leaders emphasized that they remain supportive of the Railway City Project’s vision but insisted that transparency and accountability must guide its execution.
Kenya Railways has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
