The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) recovered Ksh 6.5 million in cash from the vehicle of Turkana County Executive Committee Member for Finance, Michael Eregae Ekidor, as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of over Ksh 600 million from the County Government of Turkana.
The search operation was conducted on Thursday, April 10, following the issuance of search warrants targeting the homes and offices of ten county officials suspected to be linked to the scheme.
According to EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud, the operation also covered the premises of Chief Officers and senior staff attached to various departments within the county.
He stated that the recovered amount is suspected to be proceeds of corruption.
The list of those under active investigation comprises:
(1) Michael Eregae Ekidor – County Executive Committee Member, Finance
(2) Peter Lomurukai – Chief Officer, Municipalities and Urban Management
(3) Mark Achila Ekiru – Chief Officer, Roads and Transport
(4) Samson Nakito – Director, Procurement
(5) Lillian Alaper Ateyo – Senior Accountant
(6) Annah Narot Longoli – Cleaning Supervisor
(7) John Tioko Ekal – Spouse to one of the officials
(8) Abenyo Amathwel Etiir – Security Warden, Turkana County Government
(9) Stephen Lowoton – Former Assistant Director, Accounting
(10) William Erex Aminit and Nangiro Edung Ichor – Businessmen linked to county tenders
Mohamud disclosed that the commission had previously secured a court order on March 3 freezing Ksh 180 million in accounts belonging to Abenyo Amathwel Etiir and companies associated with him.
The suspects are being investigated for alleged procurement fraud, abuse of office, and illicit enrichment.
The commission stated that some of the officials under probe are believed to have traded with the county through proxy companies, receiving irregular payments totalling over Ksh 600 million between the 2022 and 2024 financial years.
EACC says the inquiry is also probing how Ekidor allegedly accumulated wealth, assets and income disproportionate to his known legitimate earnings.
“The suspects are alleged to have abused their positions of trust and authority to embezzle public funds through collusion, procurement fraud, bribery and payment for fictitious contracts,” said Mohamud.
He confirmed that the Thursday operation yielded key evidence, including the cash found inside Ekidor’s vehicle. All suspects were escorted to Government offices in Lodwar to record statements.
Mohamud stated that upon conclusion of the inquiry, the commission would consider taking appropriate action, which may involve prosecution, recovery of unexplained wealth and tracing of proceeds of corruption.
He added that similar investigations are ongoing in several other county governments over allegations of misappropriation of public resources.
