Evans Kidero has had a long and controversial career in both the corporate and political world in Kenya. He started as a respected businessman and later moved into politics, where he quickly became a household name. However, instead of being remembered for reforms or development, Kidero’s name is now tied to scandals, mismanagement, and allegations of corruption.
His leadership at Mumias Sugar Company, the Nairobi County government, and now at the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) has raised serious questions about his impact on public institutions and the continued trend of poor leadership in key government positions.
According to reports shared on Facebook by Omondi, Kidero’s recent appointment at KNTC has sparked outrage over nepotism and favoritism. It is alleged that his son, Roney Kidero, and maternal cousin, Evance Ochieng’, hold top offices at the corporation, raising eyebrows over how these appointments were made.
Many Kenyans see this as yet another example of how public offices are being turned into family businesses. The KNTC, which is supposed to help manage government procurement and stabilize the economy, is now on the radar not because of its performance, but because of leadership that seems to prioritize personal connections over public service.Kidero’s track record at Mumias Sugar is still fresh in people’s minds. While he was praised for reviving the company in the early years, things fell apart after he left.
A forensic audit accused him of being part of a network of executives that mismanaged the company and participated in fraudulent dealings. Billions were lost, and Mumias Sugar became a shell of its former self. Instead of taking full responsibility, Kidero blamed politicians and even took legal action against the audit firm.
This pattern of denying responsibility has followed him throughout his career. When he became Nairobi’s first Governor in 2013, many hoped he would bring change to the capital. But again, those hopes were dashed. His time in office was marred by complaints of corruption, poor service delivery, and financial mismanagement.
The city faced problems ranging from garbage collection failures to delayed salaries and poor infrastructure development. Instead of transforming Nairobi, Kidero left office with a damaged reputation and a city still struggling with the same issues he had promised to fix.
Now at KNTC, Kidero’s leadership is once again under the spotlight. The silence from the KNTC Managing Director Lucy Anangwe over these nepotism claims has only made the situation worse.
It gives the impression that the concerns are being ignored, and that those in charge are unwilling to address the matter. If it’s true that key positions are being handed out to family members, it undermines the very purpose of public institutions and deepens the crisis of trust between citizens and government offices.
The situation paints a worrying picture of a man who started with promise but has consistently left behind institutions worse than he found them. Kidero’s journey shows how public office can be misused when personal interests come before national service. From Mumias Sugar to Nairobi County and now KNTC, the pattern is hard to ignore.
Unless there is accountability and transparency, these institutions will continue to collapse under the weight of corruption and nepotism. For now, the public can only watch and wait, hoping that someone will step in to stop this dangerous cycle.