A bribery and extortion scheme has been uncovered at the National Construction Authority (NCA) Upperhill Head Office in Nairobi, raising serious questions about corruption, abuse of office, and the integrity of contractor registration and licensing processes in Kenya’s construction sector.
According to multiple accounts from contractors, officers stationed at the Upperhill headquarters are allegedly deliberately delaying contractor registrations in order to extort money from applicants desperate to secure operating certificates required to do business legally.
Contractors Allege Deliberate Delays and Cash Demands
An anonymous contractor who applied to register as an electrical contractor says his application has remained pending since November 23, 2022, despite meeting all statutory requirements and submitting the full application online.
Frustrated by months of silence, the contractor visited the NCA Upperhill Head Office to inquire about the delay—only to be met with what he describes as a well-orchestrated extortion attempt.
According to the source, upon reaching the 9th floor reception, he was approached by a police officer stationed at the office, who asked for his company name and the category under which he had applied for registration.
“He plainly asks which category you have registered for and the company name, followed by the progress of the application,” the contractor said.
What followed, the source alleges, was a direct demand for money in exchange for fast-tracked approval.
“Thereafter, you are told to fork out Sh30,000 and the approvals will be out in 24 hours.”
Even Lowest Categories Not Spared
The contractor further claims that the alleged bribery scheme extends across multiple registration categories, including lower-tier classifications that ordinarily attract minimal official fees.
According to the source, contractors applying under NCA Category 8—one of the lowest levels—are allegedly being asked to pay Sh15,000 to have their licenses issued.
This amount, contractors say, is nearly three times the legally prescribed fee for registering under the same category.
Industry players argue that such practices suggest systematic extortion, rather than isolated misconduct, and point to the involvement of multiple officers within the registration process.
Silence, Fear, and a Culture of Impunity
Several contractors told CourtNews that fear of victimization has discouraged many from reporting the scheme formally.
Applicants worry that raising complaints could lead to:
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Further delays in processing
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Silent blacklisting within the system
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Complete rejection of applications
This climate of fear, they say, allows corruption to thrive unchecked—especially in an institution that controls access to multi-million-shilling construction projects.
Undermining the Rule of Law and Investor Confidence
The alleged extortion scheme has far-reaching consequences beyond individual contractors.
Delays in registration:
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Freeze construction projects
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Disrupt investor timelines
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Prevent contractors from accessing bank financing
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Increase costs passed on to clients and taxpayers
More broadly, corruption at the NCA undermines public trust, weakens regulatory credibility, and contradicts government commitments to transparency, ease of doing business, and infrastructure-led growth.
Industry analysts warn that when regulators become gatekeepers for bribes, the entire construction value chain is compromised.
Calls for Immediate Investigation and Accountability
The whistleblower has called for the immediate exposure and investigation of the officers allegedly involved in the scheme, urging authorities to restore integrity to the contractor registration process.
“Applications should be processed as they were before—without forced delays, extortion, or intimidation,” the source said.
Observers are now urging intervention by oversight bodies, including:
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Internal NCA compliance units
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Independent investigators
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Anti-corruption agencies
They argue that failure to act decisively risks normalizing extortion as an unofficial cost of doing business.
A Test for the NCA and Oversight Institutions
The revelations present a critical test for the NCA and the wider public accountability system.
It is unacceptable, contractors say, for public officials to use their positions to solicit bribes while crippling legitimate businesses. Such conduct not only violates the law but erodes confidence in government institutions tasked with regulating key economic sectors.
As Kenya pushes ambitious infrastructure and housing agendas, the integrity of construction oversight bodies remains non-negotiable.
Watching Closely
This publication will continue to closely monitor developments surrounding the alleged bribery scheme at the NCA Upperhill Head Office and will report on any investigations, disciplinary actions, or prosecutions arising from the matter.
Contractors and whistleblowers with verified information are encouraged to come forward through lawful and protected channels.
The public interest demands transparency, accountability, and a construction regulatory system that serves—not exploits—those it is meant to regulate.