Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip J. Mainga is at the center of a storm following the filing of a formal petition in Nairobi accusing him of gross misconduct, environmental violations, and incitement to violence. The petition, dated June 26, 2025, calls for Mainga’s immediate removal from office and prosecution over alleged misdeeds related to the controversial Riruta-Ngong railway project and the recent violent anti-government protests that rocked the country on June 25.
At the heart of the allegations is the Riruta-Ngong railway line, which the petition claims was launched without the constitutionally required public participation. The project is said to affect environmentally sensitive zones in Karen, Bulbul, and Ngong. A public forum held on April 12, 2024, at St. Christopher’s School is described as a token exercise that failed to provide adequate disclosure or facilitate genuine engagement with residents.
The petitioner alleges that China Roads and Bridge Corporation, the project contractor, was unlawfully granted access to begin work before key documentation, including environmental and engineering reports, was released to the public. The process is described as secretive, hurried, and driven by hidden interests, leaving communities along the route feeling intimidated and sidelined.
Most significantly, the petition accuses Mainga of presiding over the destruction of parts of the Ngong Forest, which it characterizes as an environmental crime. The clearing of forest land, according to the filing, has caused irreversible ecological harm, including the loss of biodiversity, pollution, displacement of residents, and encroachment on private property.
In a dramatic escalation, the petition also links Mainga to the organization and financing of recent violent protests that swept across several counties, including Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kakamega, and Uasin Gishu. The protests, which turned deadly, involved looting, the destruction of property, attacks on public service vehicles, and disruption of essential services.
The petitioner claims Mainga used his official position, public funds, and Kenya Railways resources—including personnel and facilities—to coordinate and shield protest organizers. The goal, it is alleged, was to destabilize the country under the guise of civil dissent, advancing political objectives through state-sponsored unrest.
According to the petition, these actions amount to economic sabotage, a betrayal of the public trust, and a violation of the constitutional mandate of state officers. It argues that Mainga’s conduct exemplifies the weaponization of public institutions for political purposes and poses a threat to the constitutional order.
The filing cites multiple constitutional violations, including the failure to uphold public participation, infringement on property rights, environmental degradation, abuse of public resources, and breach of leadership and integrity standards. It urges the court to declare the Riruta-Ngong railway project unconstitutional and halt all construction until legal and environmental compliance is achieved.
It also seeks orders for investigative agencies—including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Assets Recovery Agency—to probe Mainga for abuse of office, incitement, and misappropriation of public funds. Further, the petition calls on the President to consider invoking constitutional provisions to dismiss Mainga from office for gross misconduct.
The petition has been filed by Francis Wahome and will be served on Mainga and the relevant investigative and oversight agencies. The unfolding case casts a shadow over the leadership of Kenya Railways and raises broader concerns about the politicization of public institutions and accountability of senior officials.
