Ten Turkana County Officials Arrested Over Sh600 Million Embezzlement Scandal
Ten senior officials from the County Government of Turkana are in custody following their arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over allegations of embezzling Sh600 million meant for development projects.
EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud confirmed the arrests, noting that the funds were misappropriated during the financial years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. The officials are accused of gross misconduct involving embezzlement, procurement fraud, bribery, conflict of interest, and abuse of office.
Those arrested include:
- Michael Eregae Ekidor, County Executive Committee Member for Finance
- Peter Lomurukai, Chief Officer for Municipalities and Urban Management
- Mark Achila Ekiru, Chief Officer for Roads and Transport
- Samson Nakito, Director of Procurement
- Lillian Alaper Ateyo, Senior Accountant
- Annah Narot Longoli, Cleaning Supervisor
- John Tioko Ekal, spouse to Longoli
- Abenyo Amathwel Etiir, Security Warden
- Stephen Lowoton, former Assistant Director of Accounting
- William Erex Aminit and Nangiro Edung Ichor, both businessmen
Investigations were launched following multiple public complaints, and preliminary findings indicate that the suspects used their positions to engage in fraudulent procurement schemes and received payments for fictitious contracts.
EACC also revealed that some of the officials, including Ekidor, are suspected to have traded with the county government through proxy companies, amassing vast wealth during their tenure. Notably, Sh6.5 million in cash was recovered from Ekidor’s vehicle during the arrests—believed to be proceeds of corruption.
EACC says it will continue with its crackdown on corruption in counties to safeguard public resources and ensure accountability. The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court as investigations progress.
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Ten Turkana County Officials Arrested Over Sh600 Million Embezzlement Scandal