NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched a major investigation into allegations of embezzlement involving senior officials of the County Government of Turkana.
The investigation, which involves suspected mismanagement of over KES 600 million between the financial years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, has led to searches at the residences and offices of ten individuals, including senior county officials and businessmen.
The operation, carried out on Thursday, 10th April 2025, follows the commission’s acquisition of search warrants and is part of ongoing efforts to uncover corruption within the Turkana County Government.
The individuals under investigation include Michael Eregae Ekidor, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance, alongside Peter Lomurukai (Chief Officer, Municipalities and Urban Management), Mark Achila Ekiru (Chief Officer, Roads and Transport), Samson Nakito (Director, Procurement), Lillian Alaper Ateyo (Senior Accountant), Annah Narot Longoli (Cleaning Supervisor), Turkana County and John Tioko Ekal (Spouse), Abenyo Amathwel Etiir (Security Warden, Turkana County Government), Stephen Lowoton (Former Assistant Director Accounting), William Erex Aminit (Businessman), and Nangiro Edung Ichor (Businessman) who are believed to have been involved in fraudulent activities related to procurement and misuse of public funds.
The primary allegations against the suspects include embezzlement, conflict of interest, abuse of office, and procurement fraud.
Specifically, it is alleged that officials in the Turkana County Government may have engaged in fraudulent transactions, trading with county-owned companies, and approving fictitious contracts.
These activities resulted in the wrongful payment of over KES 600 million for alleged procurement of goods and services.
In addition, Michael Eregae Ekidor, who serves as the County Executive Committee Member for Finance, is accused of using his position to accumulate significant wealth, assets, and income during his tenure.
This investigation has already yielded valuable evidence, including KES 6.5 million in cash, which was discovered in Ekidor’s vehicle. The money is suspected to be proceeds of corruption.
The investigation also involves the freezing of KES 180 million in bank accounts linked to one of the suspects, Abenyo Amathwel Etiir, a security warden at the county government.
The funds were frozen after the EACC obtained a court order on 3rd March 2025.
These accounts are associated with Etiir and his companies, which are under suspicion of benefiting from corrupt practices.
The EACC has made it clear that once the investigations are completed, appropriate action will be taken, which could include the prosecution of any individuals found culpable, as well as the recovery of unexplained wealth and proceeds of corruption.
The Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the EACC, Abdi A. Mohamud, has emphasized that the commission is committed to upholding integrity and ensuring that public resources are safeguarded.
He stated that the commission would continue to work tirelessly to uncover corruption and hold those responsible to account.
As of now, the suspects are being escorted to government offices in Lodwar to record statements, and further steps in the investigation are expected to follow.
