Aviation and Aerospace Principal Secretary Terresia Mbaika speaking at a past function. Photo by Andrew Mbuva 
By Andrew Mbuva
Aviation and Aerospace Principal Secretary Terresia Mbaika is at the centre of mounting controversy after two explosive scandals—one linked to Flydubai’s aviation licence bid and another tied to missing constituency funds—surfaced within days, igniting a storm of outrage both in political circles and on social media.
The first scandal stems from claims that Mbaika allegedly demanded a Ksh100 million bribe in exchange for facilitating additional Flydubai flight approvals at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Reports allege that former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was used as a go-between in the deal, supposedly tasked with delivering an initial Ksh50 million through Mbaika’s associate, businessman James Mbaluka. The payments were allegedly made in installments at the Sheraton Hotel near JKIA.
However, after the alleged cash changed hands, Mbaika and Mbaluka are said to have travelled to Dubai to negotiate directly with Flydubai, cutting Sonko out of the arrangement.
In a dramatic twist, Sonko has since publicly dismissed the claims as false, distancing himself from any such dealings. Both Mbaika and Mbaluka are yet to issue public statements.
Even as the Flydubai saga unraveled, Mbaika was thrust into another firestorm after a leaked phone recording went viral, capturing her admitting she has not released Ksh7.5 million raised for women groups in Kaiti Constituency.
The funds were collected on June 5 at a high-profile fundraiser attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Farouk Kibet, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, and several MPs.
Months later, no beneficiary has received any money. When questioned by a man identified as Kamau, Mbaika snapped back: “I will give them when I want and when they are ready. Who are you to ask me?”
She went further, challenging accountability demands: “What evidence do you have I have eaten the money? You are not teaching me what to do.”
The remarks, which many interpreted as dismissive and arrogant, have fueled public outrage.
On X (formerly Twitter), Kenyans expressed anger over the twin scandals.
“The alleged Flydubai bribe shows how PS Terry Mbaika may have turned regulatory power into a cash cow,” wrote user Karadoll. Another asked: “How can a PS openly hold Ksh 7.5M meant for women empowerment, insult citizens, and still face no consequences?”
Others linked the controversies to broader concerns about governance.
“Instead of treating aviation expansion as a national development matter, PS Terry Mbaika reportedly reduced it to personal bargaining, eroding the trust airlines place in government agencies,” observed AloongLiloo.
Taken together, the scandals paint a grim picture of a senior government official accused of impunity and disregard for accountability.
With public pressure mounting and questions swirling around her conduct, PS Terresia Mbaika’s political and professional future appears increasingly uncertain.
