Reports about alleged corruption at the Kenya Airports Authority under the acting CEO Dr. Mohamud M. Gedi have raised serious public concern, especially because KAA is a critical institution that handles airport infrastructure and national revenue.
The claims suggest that tenders worth millions were pushed through without following proper channels and that politically connected individuals benefited from contracts that were not subjected to open competition.
Sources from within the authority say that decisions around procurement and contract approvals are reportedly made by a small circle of individuals close to the acting CEO, leaving many senior officers sidelined and afraid to challenge any directive for fear of victimization.
Staff members describe an environment where questioning instructions is seen as opposition to the leadership, creating a culture of silence even when procedures appear violated.
One of the most talked about issues is the legal contract worth Sh243 million that was issued to a newly registered law firm to handle matters around the cancelled Adani Group lease of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
What is causing anger is that the original budget approved for legal services was only Sh12.5 million, meaning the final amount shot up by over a thousand percent without clear justification. The contract was reportedly issued through direct procurement, explained as urgent, yet critics argue that urgency should not be used to bypass accountability.
Legal experts have also questioned how a new firm with no long-term track record at KAA could be considered the only qualified option, further fueling suspicion of favoritism and hidden interests.
The matter gained more attention after it was revealed that approval from the relevant ministry was only sought after the money had already been committed.
A letter dated September 25, 2025, was reportedly written to request approval after funds had been allocated, raising questions about whether procedures are being followed or only being formalized on paper after decisions are already made.
Similar patterns are said to have occurred in other airports such as Moi International Airport in Mombasa, where procurement was labeled as emergency-related, a phrase that appears to be used repeatedly to fast-track contracts without competitive bidding.
These developments are causing growing public demand for accountability and a full audit of KAA’s financial dealings.
With Kenyans struggling with high taxes and economic pressure, seeing millions allegedly channeled to select firms without transparency has created anger and distrust.
Civil society groups have already begun calling for investigations and temporary removal of any officials linked to these decisions until proper inquiries are completed.
They argue that leadership in public institutions must reflect integrity and respect for the law, especially in agencies that handle strategic assets like airports.
The controversy has also drawn attention to reports that the acting CEO was denied a U.S. visa, which has sparked speculation about his international standing and the perception of governance under his leadership.
For many Kenyans, this has become another worrying sign that public institutions risk being controlled by a few powerful individuals rather than operating in the interest of citizens.
People want answers on who authorized the contracts, why budget ceilings were ignored, and why internal systems at KAA seem unable to prevent questionable expenditures.
