Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has expressed concerns over the alleged misuse of a county government vehicle, claiming it was being used to ferry women around Nyeri town late at night. According to Kahiga, he became suspicious after repeatedly seeing the vehicle operating in the town during hours when most official county activities had ended. The governor said he personally followed the vehicle on one occasion after spotting it between 11pm and midnight.
The vehicle in question is allegedly assigned to Deputy Governor David Kinaniri, with Kahiga claiming that the driver was using it to transport women to different destinations. Kahiga stated that he followed the vehicle and observed it stopping near Wendo Coffee, where several women boarded before being driven to various locations. The governor said this prompted him to question Kinaniri about the vehicle’s movements, claiming the Deputy Governor was unaware of the vehicle’s use.
Kahiga also raised concerns about the vehicle’s fuel consumption, attributing the increased expenditure to Kinaniri’s alleged activities. The governor claimed that the driver subsequently dropped the passengers at different locations as he followed behind in his own vehicle. Kahiga’s concerns come amid renewed national attention on the management and use of government vehicles.
In August 2026, the Government announced the rollout of the Government Vehicle Management System (GVMS), a centralised digital platform designed to provide real-time oversight of official vehicles. The reforms also include plans to fit government vehicles with tracking devices and create a verified database covering vehicles across ministries, departments, agencies and county governments.
The Government said the measures are intended to strengthen accountability and address gaps including misuse of government vehicles and inadequate fuel and mileage records. The GVMS aims to provide real-time information on authorised drivers, fuel consumption, mileage and maintenance history of government vehicles.
Governor Kahiga’s concerns highlight the need for improved oversight and accountability in the use of government vehicles at the county level. The alleged misuse of the county vehicle has raised questions about the management of resources and the level of transparency within the Nyeri County Government.
The issue has sparked a renewed debate on the need for effective management and monitoring of government vehicles to prevent misuse and ensure accountability. The rollout of the GVMS is expected to play a crucial role in addressing these concerns and promoting transparency in the use of government vehicles.
Key points
- Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga questions night-time use of county vehicle allegedly ferrying women around Nyeri town.
- The Government has announced the rollout of the Government Vehicle Management System (GVMS) to provide real-time oversight of official vehicles.
- The alleged misuse of the county vehicle has raised questions about the management of resources and the level of transparency within the Nyeri County Government.
