Recent discussions around the Kenya Airports Authority have drawn attention to how public resources are being handled under the acting leadership of Dr. Mohamud M. Gedi.
Many employees within the authority say that tender processes have not been transparent and that key contracts have allegedly been influenced by a small circle of powerful individuals.
They claim that some tenders worth millions were directed to people believed to have political ties, including a governor from the North Eastern region.
Staff members feel that normal procedures are no longer followed and that questioning decisions has become difficult because of the firm control exercised by the acting CEO.
Some even say that complaints about the state of facilities like Wilson Airport have gone unanswered because decisions are made by a single office without proper consultation.
There have also been claims that Dr. Gedi got into the acting position through a costly arrangement rather than a transparent selection process.
His reported denial of a U.S. visa has added more attention to the matter, raising questions about why a public official managing such an important institution would face such restrictions.
Many Kenyans see this as a signal that international agencies may also be concerned about the governance at KAA.
One of the most debated issues is the Sh243 million legal contract awarded to Triple OK Law Advocates LLP. Records show that the budget for legal work was initially just Sh12.5 million, but the final contract amount increased sharply.
The law firm that received the contract had only recently been registered, which left many asking how it was considered capable of handling a matter involving such a high-profile case.
The authority justified the decision by referring to urgency, but critics argue that urgency should not remove the need for accountability and proper procurement steps.
The contract was given through direct procurement, a method that is only allowed under very limited conditions.
This has raised concerns that the process was intentionally bypassed to benefit selected individuals.
Documents also indicate that Dr. Gedi asked for approval after the money had already been committed. This means the funds were used first, and permission was sought later.
Such a move has made many people question whether oversight institutions are being respected.
Similar actions have reportedly taken place at other airports, including Moi International Airport in Mombasa, where tenders were processed under what insiders call emergency procurement, even when the situations did not appear to be real emergencies.
Those who previously spoke out against the cancelled Adani Group lease are now saying that nothing much has changed and that the same style of leadership continues.
Civil society groups are pushing for action, arguing that public institutions must follow the law when dealing with taxpayer money.
They want officials linked to the contracts to step aside while investigations go on to ensure the process is not interfered with.
Many Kenyans feel that institutions like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission should move with speed to check how decisions were made and who benefited from them.
With airports being such a crucial part of the country’s image and economy, the public is insisting that those in charge should answer questions clearly and take responsibility where wrongdoing is found.
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