A 2021 Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigation uncovered allegations of systemic nepotism in Trans-Nzoia County, where multiple officials are accused of favoring relatives in employment decisions. The probe focused on the health department, where all staff reportedly have familial connections to county leadership.
Patrick Khaemba, the county governor, and his wife Lydia Khaemba are central to the controversy. Lydia allegedly influenced the appointment of her brother, Dickson Kirwa, as a clinical officer—a role also held by Shadrack Kimtai, the livestock chief officer, who employed his brother Kosgei Shadrack. Similar patterns emerged in other departments, with Susan Murumba, the public service management CEO, appointing her daughter Dolphin Murumba as a nutrition technician, mirroring the employment of Evelyn Nanyama, daughter of the county assembly protocol officer.
Imelda Agoi, the human resources manager, reportedly hired her sisters and cousin as orthopedic technologists. Stephen Obare, son of the county assembly CEO, was employed as a health administrative officer through familial influence. County secretary Soita is accused of securing a nursing position for his daughter, Rael Naliaka. Additional cases include John Meng’wa, who influenced his brother Javan Kimtai Meng’wa's environment department appointment, and Wakofula Sifuna, who placed his daughter Mary Nasimiyu as a physiotherapist.
Deputy governor Stanely Tarus is accused of securing a health administrative officer position for his daughter, Cynthia Kepkosgei. Other implicated officials include Chereng’ani sub-county administrator Dorothy Musikoyo, who employed her sister Saenyi Eugene as a medical officer, and ward administrator Diana Seme, who placed her sister Rose Nafula in a similar role. County assembly finance officer Moses Lupao is also accused of influencing his sister Stella Pepela's employment.
The allegations resurfaced amid a 2019 motion to impeach Khaemba over governance concerns. While the EACC's intervention highlighted the severity of the claims, no official denials from the accused officials have been reported.
