A female insider based at Nyayo House has come forward with allegations of widespread extortion by caretakers who allegedly demand hefty bribes from outsiders seeking to secure kitchen spaces within the building.
The woman, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, claimed she was forced to pay Sh100,000 to obtain the space from which she currently operates.
“I had no option. They made it clear that without paying, I would never get the space. It’s something that has been normalized here,” she said.
Further investigations suggest that the kitchens may be serving as a cover for a broader network of corruption within the government building, with claims that the illegal dealings extend beyond space allocation.
Sources further allege that some of the cartels operating within the kitchen spaces run mobile money lines, which are allegedly used to facilitate and conceal corrupt transactions.
“Some of these payments are not made in cash. There are specific M-Pesa lines linked to individuals within the network, making it easier to move money without raising suspicion,” a source familiar with the matter claimed.
A source familiar with the matter alleged that the scheme is run by well-organized cartels that have effectively taken control of key operations within the premises.
“This is not an isolated case. There is a well-established network that controls who gets what space, and it operates with impunity.
The same individuals have entrenched themselves and continue to exploit applicants,” the officer said.
Several individuals have been mentioned in connection with the alleged racket, including Deputy County Commissioner Kiambi Kimathi, caretaker Wanjala, caretaker Oonje (Immigration), caretaker Mugambi (Immigration), as well as other caretakers stationed across different floors.
Sources indicate that the 16th floor operations are reportedly under an individual identified as Milly, who is allegedly closely linked to an AP RSM officer identified as Dalba. Other individuals named include Dorrys (15th floor), Makena (14th floor), and Eliza (7th floor) and others yet to be named.Sources further allege that some of the individuals linked to the scheme operate additional businesses within and around the building, including mobile money outlets and eateries.
Eliza is specifically alleged to operate several businesses, including M-Pesa shops, Everest Media Small Village bar and restaurant and Everest Media Planning SLNS Ltdlizbeth general shop Kibra DC.
These businesses are said to play a role in facilitating the alleged activities.
According to some insiders some of the business operators are said to be a link to the Director General where some cash originating from corruption are usually transffered to her through proxies
There are also claims that some of these businesses were previously shut down over corruption-related concerns, only to resume operations under the protection of influential networks spanning immigration services, national registration offices, and local administration units.
Efforts to obtain official comment from the relevant authorities were ongoing by the time of publication.