A company owned by a former aide to President Mwai Kibaki and an American investor with a fraud record has received government approval for a massive KSh106 billion desalination project in Lamu County. The decision has triggered sharp public concern over transparency, investor vetting, and unresolved ownership issues.
Key Players in the Project
The company, Rasli Bahari, is set to build a seawater desalination plant under Kenya’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program. Ownership records show Stanley Murage, a powerful figure during Kibaki’s presidency, holds a 64.5% stake. The remaining 32.2% belongs to Verley Lee “Rocky” Sembritzky, an American businessman previously charged with securities fraud in the United States.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Sembritzky in 2020 for defrauding investors. He allegedly raised $7.2 million (KSh936 million) for a real estate investment fund, then misused most of the funds for personal luxury—buying a $2 million condo, cars, jewelry, and paying personal bills. Only $650,000 went toward actual investment activity.
Confusion Over Ownership
Murage claims Sembritzky died in October 2022, yet records from Kenya’s Registrar of Companies still list him as a shareholder. A CR-12 document accessed in late July 2025 confirms this. Kenyan law requires ownership to be transferred from a deceased person’s estate through succession or legal filings. Since this hasn’t happened, questions have emerged about whether Rasli Bahari legally updated its shareholding.
This raises red flags. A dead person cannot legally approve financing, sign contracts, or influence company decisions. Transparency experts argue the government should have verified this before approving any contract negotiations.
Deal Approval and Financing Plan
Despite the issues, the National Treasury’s PPP Directorate gave Rasli Bahari approval in April 2025 to begin contract talks. The firm plans to develop a 400,000 cubic meters per day reverse osmosis desalination plant in Lamu. If successful, this project would become the largest desalination facility in East Africa.
The company has already spent $20 million (KSh2.6 billion) on early-stage development. Now, it plans to raise $500–600 million (KSh64.7–77.6 billion) from international development financiers over the next 30 months. One financier may take up to 30% equity in the project.
Why the Public Is Concerned
Kenya urgently needs clean water, especially in arid regions like Lamu. But the involvement of politically connected individuals and a foreign fraud convict raises serious trust issues.
Murage served as Kibaki’s key presidential advisor, operating behind the scenes in one of Kenya’s most controversial governments. While credited with stabilizing the economy, Kibaki’s term saw major corruption scandals—especially the Anglo-Leasing scandal involving fraudulent security contracts.
Though Murage wasn’t personally prosecuted, critics say his close ties to power helped shield key players from accountability. Now, his return in a multi-billion-shilling state-backed project has revived debate over elite control of public resources.
Sembritzky’s role adds more fuel. He has never been publicly cleared of the SEC’s charges. Even worse, his estate remains listed as a co-owner, long after his supposed death. The Kenyan government’s failure to verify this ownership raises doubts about its PPP vetting standards.
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Experts Demand Action
Governance groups are calling for:
- A full ownership audit of Rasli Bahari
- Legal proof confirming the status and estate of Rocky Sembritzky
- Suspension of contract talks until the company complies with corporate laws
- A clear policy barring individuals with fraud history from state partnerships
They argue that Kenya cannot afford to repeat past mistakes, especially as it seeks foreign investments and builds public infrastructure through PPPs.
A Test for Kenya’s PPP Future
Kenya’s PPP model offers huge potential, especially in sectors like energy, water, and roads. However, deals like this one remind citizens why transparency, ethical leadership, and proper governance must come first.
As Kenya grows its economy, the country must ensure that public-private partnerships are not just vehicles for money, but tools for development with integrity. If the state fails to act, it risks losing public trust and exposing taxpayers to costly risks.
The Rasli Bahari deal is more than just a water project. It’s a test of Kenya’s commitment to accountability, legal compliance, and ethical development. How the government responds will shape not just this deal—but future ones as well.
