Spotlight Falls on Migori Finance Chief John Achuora as Suppliers Demand Answers Over Ksh 105 Million Piny Luo Festival Funds

A group of consultants, suppliers, and service providers contracted by Elgon Group for the Migori Cultural Extravaganza and Piny Luo Festival 2025 have raised alarm over prolonged non-payment for services rendered during the event, with attention now turning to Migori County Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning Dr. John Achuora.

Sources familiar with the payment process have pointed an accusing finger at Dr. Achuora, saying a powerful cartel operating within the county's financial structures has deliberately slowed down and frustrated the settlement of legitimate supplier claims.

According to the suppliers, the delays can no longer be explained as ordinary bureaucratic bottlenecks given that months have passed since the festival ended and public funds were reportedly approved for the event.

They now want Dr. Achuora to publicly explain the status of all payments related to the Piny Luo Festival and address claims that officials within the finance department are sitting on payment files while small businesses continue sinking into debt.

The suppliers argue that every day the payments remain unpaid, families suffer, businesses struggle to survive and confidence in doing business with Migori County continues to erode.

They insist that if there are no outstanding financial constraints, then those responsible for blocking or delaying payments should be identified and held accountable.

The affected parties, who provided services ranging from media coordination, logistics, site preparation, sports management, protocol, and communications support, say they completed all contracted work in good faith but are yet to receive payment from Elgon Group, the firm contracted to organize the Festival.

According to the suppliers, repeated efforts to secure payment over the last six months through direct engagement with Elgon Group have failed, even though there are reports that the company received substantial payments linked to the Festival contract.

The Migori Cultural Extravaganza and Piny Luo Festival 2025 concluded on December 17, 2025.

“We delivered our services professionally and ensured the success of a major county event, yet many of us are still struggling to recover payments owed to us months later,” said one of the affected consultants on behalf of the group.

The suppliers have now formally petitioned the County Government of Migori to intervene and establish the status of payments made to Elgon Group under the Festival contract.

“We have been informed by Elgon Group that the County Government of Migori is yet to settle 70% of balance due to the Group. We request you to help us establish status of payments made to Elgon Group and facilitate immediate settlement of all outstanding payments due to Elgon to allow service providers get paid,” they said in a letter to Governor Dr. Ochillo Ayacko.

On January 22, 2026, Controller of Budget Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o approved a Treasury request for a grant through the Exchequer Account amounting to Ksh 105 million to facilitate the Piny Luo Cultural Festival, which would later be regularised in Supplementary Budget Estimates I for the 2025/2026 financial year.

“The reason for this application is that the amount appropriated for State Department for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (Vote R1134) under Appropriation Act 2025 is not sufficient to facilitate the Piny Luo Cultural Festival,” said the Controller of Budget in a letter to Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo.

“In view of the above, and in accordance with Article 223 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, this office hereby grants approval for withdrawal of the funds,” added the letter.

The suppliers say the matter now centres on establishing how the funds were processed and whether all payments connected to the festival reached their intended destinations.

The cartels in Migori County proceed seamlessly with Mr. Dennis Wasike, the Liaison Officer, whose wife Jacquey Kivindyo works closely with the CEO at Elgon Group.

This strategic family connection serves as the primary gateway for securing lucrative contracts from Elgon Group, where a county employee effectively channels business opportunities to his spouse's employer, enabling influence peddling, favouritism, and the bypassing of standard procurement processes through this insider arrangement.

This setup illustrates how personal relationships between public officials and private sector players are exploited to monopolize tenders and resources.

The group says the matter presents serious questions about accountability and the treatment of downstream contractors and suppliers engaged in public events.

“We are asking the relevant authorities to ensure that legitimate suppliers are paid for work already completed. No business should suffer losses after delivering on its contractual obligations,” the suppliers' letter added.

The suppliers further confirmed that unless the matter is resolved within the next fourteen days, they will commence legal proceedings against Elgon Group to recover the outstanding dues, alongside claims for breach of contract and related damages.

The Piny Luo Festival 2025 was one of Migori County’s flagship cultural events aimed at promoting Luo heritage, tourism, and regional economic activity.