KeRRA Director General Philemon Kandie resigns

Eng. Philemon Kandie has stepped down as the Director General of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).

KeRRA Board of Directors Chairperson Anthony Ng’ang’a Mwaura, in a statement, announced that Kandie tendered his resignation on Friday.

Following the move, the Authority revealed that Eng. Jackson K. Magondu had since been appointed in an acting capacity to replace Kandie.

“The Board of Directors, in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Roads and Transport, wishes to inform that Eng. Jackson K. Magondu (Director - Planning, Design and Environment) has been appointed to the Office of the Director General on acting capacity with effect from Friday, 11th July, 2025,” Mwaura stated.

“The Board of Directors would like to appreciate the outgoing Director General for his invaluable service and contribution to the Authority.”

The resignation comes a week after a petition was filed at the High Court seeking the removal of Kandie over allegations that he financed and coordinated violent, politically motivated protests that swept across the country in June 2025.

The petitioner, Wahome Mucunu, who claimed to be a concerned citizen and advocate of constitutional governance, alleged that the senior public officer used his position to funnel state funds through shell companies and contractors linked to KeRRA to support a campaign allegedly spearheaded by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

According to the petition, the protests resulted in widespread violence, destruction of property, disruption of public services, economic sabotage, injuries, and loss of life.

Mucunu argued that these events, while cloaked as political dissent, were in fact criminal operations that undermined national peace and cohesion.

Kandie was appointed to the position on a five-year contract that was supposed to run from April 13, 2022 until April 12, 2027.

In his resignation, he noted that his last day of employment is October 10, 2025, but that he is proceeding on his 45-day annual leave effective July 14, 2025.

“This letter serves as a formal notification of my resignation from the position of Director General at Kenya Rural Roads Authority giving a notice of 3 months effective 11th July 2025 with my last day of employment being 10th October 2025. I wish to proceed on my 45 days' annual leave during the period of my notice effective 14th July 2025,” he wrote in the letter to Mwaura.

“I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition during this period and take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Board of KeRRA for the support and incredible journey throughout my tenure.”