In Summary:-
- Hanington Juma was the assistant civil engineer at Gogni Rajope Construction Co Ltd and threw himself to death at Kisumu’s KRA offices.
- It is alleged that KRA was pursuing him for Ksh 300 million, a sum that has been dismissed by one of KRA staff.
In the morning hours of 30th October, 2025, the unimaginable happened at Kisumu’s KRA offices. Engineer Hanington Juma, a revered contractor who did his work with unmatched precision jumped to his death.
He is reported to have driven his white Toyota Land Cruiser V8 into Kisumu’s Lake Basin Mall, parked it and handed the keys to the guard. He then gave instructions that his son, Tobias would pick the keys.
Then he climbed the stairs to the second floor of the mall where KRA offices are domiciled. But it appears Juma was battling intense frustrations and had decided to take his life.
He then jumped to his death.
A relative said: “He was strong, but this time, he was overwhelmed. He felt trapped, that the system had turned against him.”
Big money projects
The firm was established in 1977 as Gogni Rajope Construction before it changed its name to Gogni Rapoje Construction Co. Ltd in 1993 when it became a limited liability firm.
Its specialty are: mining, road construction, dam and water reticulation systems, box culverts construction, gravelling and lime and cement treatment.
As the assistant civil engineer, Juma was tasked with supervising earthworks, negotiating with government engineers and managing complex civil works.
One of the projects done by Gogni Rajope are Got Nanga – Bar Ober Road in Siaya County. This road was done for Ksh 1 billion and stretches 12 kilometres.
Juma also oversaw the construction of Rongo – Homa Bay Road that stretches 37 kilometres. Another project was River Nyando flood management through construction of dykes.
Ksh 300 million tax bill
Hanington Juma was the assistant civil engineer at Gogni Rajope Construction Co Ltd. This company has been behind big money projects and has offices both in Kisumu and Nairobi.
While social media has been awash with allegations that Juma’s emotional distress emanated from being slapped with a Ksh 300 million tax bill, a KRA staff has disputed this amount.
“A KRA officer, who is not authorised to speak said the alleged tax arrears circulating online are inaccurate and misleading,” reports nation.
This then leaves more questions especially with why Juma decided to end his life at KRA offices. The Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has issued a statement asking for government and various clients to pay contractors whom they owe. The body’s secretary general Jackton Mwembe called on KRA to solve tax disputes amicably.
“It is regrettable that we lose a life that is promising and a resource to the nation through such an occurrence, no Kenyan should die because they owe their government money in form of taxes or otherwise. The best act is to have an amicable engagement and a favourable payment plan,”Mwembe said.
“Many Kenyans have fallen victim to non-payment by public institutions, which has led to ailments and even death. Procurement of services should not be initiated unless funds have been allocated,” Mwembe added.