Turkana County, the restive, unforgiving northern frontier dustpan bordering South Sudan and Ethiopia to the North and Uganda to the West, is a lucky existence. On the shoulders of River Turkwell lies Lodwar Town, a picturesque installation that was lucky to have been; due to rocky formations and two water sources; Lake Turkana and the aforementioned river.

This is the seat of Governor Jeremiah Lodepe, the ODM candidate that took over from the kleptomanic Josphat Nanok, Turkana’s first governor.

Nanok had set the stage for theft of billions which were funneled into political campaigns in 2017 and 2022. A darling of top honchos sitting in Nairobi, he was not punished, even as his allegiance shifted; only a PR gimmick by EACC was sufficient to clean him, sparkling and for a role inside Kenya’s top house.

Enter Jeremiah Lomorukai, the man faced a lot of heat due to his questionable academic papers. At the onset of his governorship, Turkanas were properly made aware of his lack of academic qualifications. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Sources now reveal that the matter died down due to two things: first, the UDA hounds were asked how EACC, IEBC and other powers that be had missed that and handed him a ticket. Secondly, the powers that had come to office that time were trying to secure the bag.

As stated his predecessor, Nanok had been a piggy bank for them for the Turkana billions that was flowing into their pockets.

Raila Odinga was alive and would benefit from that. Their candidate John Lodepe Nakara of UDA, whom he had trounced with impeccable numbers (John Munyes was more famous and had oil money behind him), had missed the seat where they could draw ‘honey’ from like Nanok had. Turkana is a ODM stronghold, which Oburu Odinga should not lose easily, a visit in the dust pan would suffice, but I digress.

Failing infrastructure, where’s the money?

A visit to Lodwar town shows a fast rising northern city where thousands transact business benefitting people in the large swathes of vast lands, Kerio, Lorugum, Uganda’s north east, Lokichar and even Kitale.

Though the central government has ensured that the town’s roads are tarmacked and beautiful, there’s a tendency to fall back. In 2024, the roads were cleaned and had littled littering, but two years later, the same places that are prone to sand dunes are left unattended.

A simple drainage system by the road side lacks, as heavy rains (usually a few days per year) does damage to roads and houses. The governor Lomurkai seats easy, unattendant to the such easy needs to fix. It could take the workmanship of a few hundreds youths, employed in town’s sweeping to make do. But much of the monies meant for such services have found themselves into pockets of masqueraders and tenderpreneurs in Nairobi.

Youths on the other hand have buried their necks deep in gambling and betting, alcoholism and prostitution.

Lomurkai just copies from the failed Nairobi city, with a very big budget, the twin towns of Lodwar and Lokichar can make for the best stop-over if and when the LAPSETT project works and South Sudanese government makes it a mandate to give people options of passing through Lokichoggio into Juba. Right now, Kampala has a stranglehold as explained before:

South Sudan is not in a hurry to complete this part of LAPSSET project because Kenya's influence in the region has waned. For example, Museveni is active in the defence of Salva Kiir against warlords who rise occasionally threatening Juba. So, most South Sudanese goods have to come from Mombasa, divert into Uganda and then enter South Sudan. Kiir, who has been saved by Museveni many times intends to keep that relationship that way as it is mutually beneficial. If then he chooses to complete the Nadapal - Juba highway, which is shorter Mombasa - Juba anyway, he will be denying Museveni the revenues. Short stories, there was an incident in which some South Sudan warlords threaten Juba, Kirr run scared, but it was Uganda commandos that flew in and ruthlessly end the stalemate in an hour. Kenya is a passive observer choosing to just steal from their wananchi instead of having an active foreign policy. Kenya's foreign policy is whatever IMF or World Bank Money comes, they do exactly as told. Maumbwa (Next post on handling of Somalia - Ethiopia issue, aki Ruto, SMH)

Rampant multi-million corruption

In 2025, EACC arrested 10 Turkana County officials over the alleged theft of more than KSh600 million through procurement fraud, bribery, conflict of interest, and payments for fictitious contracts during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years. Among those arrested were senior finance, procurement, and accounting officials, alongside two businessmen. During the operation, investigators recovered KSh6.5 million in cash from the vehicle of the County Executive Committee Member for Finance. The suspects recorded statements as investigations continue, with EACC pursuing possible prosecutions, asset recovery, and the seizure of unexplained wealth.

In a fresh corruption scandal in the county government of Turkana involving the alleged theft of Sh282 million, the High Court has barred three entities, including Akimata Limited, Irina Health, and Abenyo Amatwel Etiir, from withdrawing, transferring, or dealing with funds held in their bank accounts pending the determination of a recovery suit filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Investigators traced Sh180 million directly into fixed deposit accounts tied to the suspects. According to court filings, EACC alleges that Irina Health illegally received Sh85.1 million despite never bidding for any tender or possessing the capacity to provide health insurance services to the county government. Meanwhile, Akimata Limited allegedly pocketed Sh197.3 million by presenting forged tender documents without delivering any contracted goods. EACC claims these transactions were disguised as legitimate procurement contracts.

The court ruled that the anti-graft agency demonstrated a strong case for asset preservation, noting the defendants failed to provide documentary evidence explaining the origin of the funds. Denying all wrongdoing, the defendants argued the money was lawfully earned through valid contracts. They urged the court to lift the freeze, claiming it crippled business operations and prevented employee salaries, taxes, and statutory obligations from being paid.

Corruption is eating the good time for positioning. Planning is an issue, for a small and fast-growing town, planning the housing and other installations should be a top priority, but in Lomurkai’s Turkana, things are beginning to fail due to corruption.

Too fast, too soon.