Nairobi, Kenya — Outgoing Mandera County Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif is under public scrutiny after launching a high-end restaurant, City Max, in Nairobi’s CBD. The restaurant’s opening has sparked outrage among Mandera residents and civil society groups, who view the venture as a symbol of misplaced priorities and possible misuse of public resources.
The newly opened establishment is located in a commercial building that, according to sources within Nairobi City County’s planning department, could have faced condemnation due to non-compliance with regulatory standards. City authorities reportedly delayed issuing a certificate of occupancy for an unusually long period, raising questions about the legality and safety of the premises.
Governor Khalif, who previously operated a bookshop before joining politics, now faces allegations of self-enrichment at the expense of Mandera’s development. Critics claim his focus has shifted from public service to private enterprise, even as core infrastructure in Mandera continues to deteriorate.
Local hospitals, according to residents, are struggling with chronic drug shortages, roads remain in deplorable conditions, and residents of Lafey continue to suffer from a persistent water crisis. In this context, the governor’s investment in a luxury restaurant outside his county has struck many as insensitive and inappropriate.
Further fuelling the controversy are allegations that Khalif is clandestinely funnelling public funds to his predecessor, former Governor Ali Roba, through dubious “pending bill” payments. Although no formal investigations have been announced, watchdog groups are calling for both the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Auditor-General to examine the financial dealings surrounding the restaurant’s establishment.
A Nairobi-based activist, who spoke to the Weekly Vision on condition of anonymity, called on Mandera residents in the city to “eat for free” at City Max, sarcastically asserting that their taxes may have helped set up the restaurant. “When our mothers queue for hours in understaffed dispensaries without medicine, and when our children cross rivers to reach school, their taxes may have funded this restaurant. How can our leaders justify investing in flashy eateries in Nairobi?” the activist asked.
Governor Khalif’s office has yet to issue a public response to the accusations. As pressure mounts, this latest scandal may cast a long shadow over the governor’s political future and further erode public trust in Mandera’s county leadership.
