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.

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.

The Piny Luo Festival concluded on 17th December 2025, but six months later, several suppliers and consultants say they are still chasing payments for work already completed.

“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.

According to the suppliers, repeated attempts to engage Elgon Group over the unpaid dues have failed despite reports that substantial payments linked to the festival contract were already processed.

The aggrieved suppliers have now formally petitioned the County Government of Migori to intervene and clarify 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 the balance due to the Group. We request you to help us establish the status of payments made to Elgon Group and facilitate immediate settlement of all outstanding payments due to Elgon to allow service providers get paid,” the suppliers stated in a letter addressed to Ochillo Ayacko.

The controversy has also drawn attention to public funds allocated for the event.

On January 22, 2026, Margaret Nyakang’o approved a Treasury request for withdrawal of KSh 105 million from the Exchequer account to facilitate the Piny Luo Cultural Festival under Article 223 of the Constitution after the original allocation under the State Department for Culture, Heritage and the Arts was found insufficient.

Sources familiar with the payment process have now pointed an accusing finger at Migori County Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. John Achuora, alleging that powerful cartels within the county’s financial structures have deliberately frustrated and delayed settlement of legitimate supplier claims.

According to suppliers, the delays can no longer be explained as ordinary bureaucracy given the amount of time that has passed since the festival ended and the approval of public funds linked to the event.

The suppliers now want Dr. Achuora to publicly explain the status of all payments related to the Piny Luo Festival and address allegations that payment files are deliberately being withheld while businesses sink deeper into debt.

The matter has further exposed allegations of insider dealings within procurement networks linked to the event.

Sources allege that the system operates seamlessly through Dennis Wasike, a liaison officer within the county government, whose wife Jacquey Kivindyo reportedly works closely with the CEO at Elgon Group. Suppliers claim this relationship has created a powerful insider network influencing access to lucrative contracts linked to county events.

The arrangement, according to the suppliers, has enabled favoritism, influence peddling, and the bypassing of standard procurement procedures while ordinary businesses struggle to access opportunities fairly.

The affected suppliers say every additional day without payment is pushing families, small businesses, and independent consultants further into financial distress.

“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,” part of the suppliers’ letter states.

The group has now issued a 14-day ultimatum warning that unless payments are settled, they will commence legal proceedings against Elgon Group seeking recovery of outstanding dues, damages, and compensation for breach of contract.

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