The Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA) is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The agency, responsible for water projects in the coastal region, is now at the center of a bribery scandal that threatens to expose the deep-seated corruption within its leadership.
Reports indicate that Chinese nationals were spotted in secret meetings with top CWWDA officials at Ocean Beach Hotel and Resort in Malindi, fueling concerns of kickbacks in the awarding of a Ksh 6 billion tender.
A report shared by Cyprian Is Nyakundi on X detailed how the board, led by Chairman Daniel Mwaringa and CEO Martin Tsuma, has turned the procurement process into a cash-minting machine.
Together with Procurement Manager Stanlus Jira, they have allegedly been meeting bidders behind closed doors, ensuring only those willing to part with bribes get a slice of the lucrative contracts. Initially, the officials focused on Kenyan firms, but with local companies squeezed dry, attention has now shifted to Chinese contractors who have a history of winning government tenders.
Insiders at the hotel confirm that the meetings involve high-stakes negotiations, with Stanlus Jira playing the role of deal broker. Often seen in the company of his young girlfriend, Jira is said to be the mastermind behind the extortion tactics, ensuring that those who pay receive favorable recommendations.
Meanwhile, Martin Tsuma reportedly guarantees protection from investigative agencies, using his close connections within the government to shield himself and his allies.The tenders in question include CWWDA/AFD/PQ/W4/2022-2023 for the construction of the Mwache Trunk Main South Mainland Transmission Main and Dongo Kundu Reservoir, and CWWDA/AFD/PQ/W3/2022-2023 for the design, construction, and operation of the Mwache Water Treatment Plant.
These multi-billion-shilling projects have attracted major players, including China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group Company Limited, Zakhem Construction Kenya Limited, and Stecol Corporation JV Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute.
Also mentioned in the bribery scheme are Power China Zhongnan Engineering JV Safbon Water Holding, Arab Contractors, and Osman Company.
Despite the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) reportedly being aware of these backdoor dealings, no action has been taken against those involved. Tsuma, emboldened by his political connections, remains confident that he is untouchable.
Sources reveal that he has repeatedly dismissed concerns, stating that since he is only an acting CEO, he has nothing to lose by dipping his hands into the cookie jar.
Another key figure in the scandal is Hamid Mbarak, a board director known for his expertise in manipulating procurement processes.
He has allegedly played a major role in influencing the ongoing recruitment of a new CEO. Reports suggest that candidates interested in the position were subjected to a pay-to-play scheme, where a sum of Ksh 10 million was demanded to secure favor. One candidate, Abdikadir Mohamed Abdi, is believed to have benefited from this arrangement, thanks to Mbarak’s efforts.
There are even discussions to sabotage the hiring process altogether, ensuring Martin Tsuma remains in the acting capacity for an extended period. This would allow the corrupt network to continue looting without disruption.
Regulatory bodies such as the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, which are supposed to oversee fair and transparent tendering, have turned a blind eye, allowing CWWDA to operate unchecked.
The presence of Chinese nationals in these secret meetings raises even more questions. These firms have previously won contracts at CWWDA, making it clear that corruption is deeply entrenched in the agency’s operations.
As money changes hands and powerful individuals continue to exploit public resources, it is the ordinary citizens who will bear the consequences of failed water projects and inflated costs.
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