The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is once again under scrutiny after multiple suppliers and insiders accused its Finance Director, Adan Mohamed, of deliberately delaying supplier payments and undermining institutional integrity through what they describe as a culture of bureaucratic extortion and financial intimidation.
The alleged misconduct has sparked outrage among contractors, many of whom claim that the bureau’s internal payment systems have been hijacked by a single individual wielding disproportionate control over financial disbursements.
Suppliers Cry Foul Over ‘Cheque Locking’ and Unexplained Delays
Sources within KEBS paint a grim picture of an institution crippled by administrative paralysis. They allege that Adan Mohamed has made it nearly impossible for suppliers to receive timely payments, even after all procedural approvals are completed.
“He locks cheques in his drawer and travels, leaving us stranded,” one senior officer told CourtNews.co.ke. “Even when everything is approved, nothing moves unless he says so.”
Documents and testimonies reviewed by reporters suggest that cheques and payment approvals are often withheld for weeks or months, with no formal explanation offered to affected vendors. This pattern of obstruction, insiders claim, has created an environment of coercion and dependency, where suppliers are forced to seek personal meetings with the director for their payments to be processed.
Allegations of Extortion and Abuse of Power
Several vendors allege that these deliberate payment delays are used as leverage to extract kickbacks and “appreciation” fees, effectively transforming the public office into a private toll gate for access to payments.
Those who resist the pressure reportedly face blacklisting, unexplained audit reviews, or termination of their contracts—tactics that have created an atmosphere of fear and economic instability among small and medium-sized contractors.
“This is financial blackmail,” said one supplier. “We took loans to deliver goods to KEBS, but payments have been stuck for months. The system is rigged against honest business.”
How the Payment Process Became a Power Tool
Multiple sources confirm that KEBS’ financial approval process has been effectively centralized under Adan Mohamed’s discretion, contrary to standard financial governance procedures.
Under normal protocol, once all directors and accounting officers sign off on a payment, the Finance Department should automatically disburse funds. However, insiders claim Mohamed routinely overrides or withholds these releases, forcing banks and suppliers to seek his personal clearance before transactions proceed.
This manipulation of process, employees say, has crippled cash flow, delayed project execution, and eroded trust among government suppliers.
Economic and Institutional Fallout
The ripple effects of these alleged actions are being felt beyond the bureau. Many suppliers say they are now facing loan defaults, auction threats, and reputational damage due to delayed payments.
Financial experts warn that such internal sabotage could destabilize KEBS operations, including inspection services, laboratory testing, and product certification, which are vital for Kenya’s trade and export economy.
“KEBS is supposed to be a pillar of industrial integrity,” said one governance analyst. “When its internal leadership undermines trust, it’s not just a financial issue — it becomes a national credibility crisis.”
Calls for Oversight and Investigation
Vendors and whistleblowers are now calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Public Service Commission (PSC), and the National Treasury’s financial oversight unit to investigate the Finance Director’s conduct.
Formal complaints have reportedly been filed, citing violations of the Public Finance Management Act and Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, both of which require transparency, fairness, and accountability in financial transactions.
If substantiated, the allegations could result in disciplinary action, suspension, or criminal prosecution, potentially exposing systemic failures that extend beyond one individual.
A Culture of Fear and Silence at KEBS
Current and former employees describe a toxic workplace culture where staff are afraid to speak out. Several internal attempts to raise the issue have allegedly been suppressed or ignored, leaving whistleblowers vulnerable to retaliation.
“No one wants to confront him because he controls the purse strings,” said another insider. “Even senior managers tread carefully.”
Such fear, observers warn, perpetuates a cycle of institutional decay, where accountability mechanisms fail and corruption becomes normalized within public institutions.
The Bigger Picture: Integrity on Trial
The allegations against Adan Mohamed underscore a wider governance crisis at KEBS. Tasked with ensuring quality standards and consumer protection, the agency’s credibility is now being questioned not because of faulty products, but because of faulty ethics at the top.
If left unchecked, analysts warn, this situation could severely damage Kenya’s trade reputation, particularly as the country seeks to position itself as a regional manufacturing and export hub.
As investigations loom, KEBS’ leadership faces a defining test — one that will reveal whether Kenya’s public institutions can uphold the same standards of integrity they demand from the private sector.