Former Samburu governor convicted in multi-million corruption case

By Peter Ochieng

Former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal and 10 co-accused were on Wednesday convicted of multiple charges, by the Milimani Anti-Corruption case.

The charges range from unlawful acquisition of public property, making him the first governor to be convicted of corruption since the advent of devolution in 2013.

He was found guilty of using his company, Oryx Service Station, to supply fuel to the Samburu County government, creating a clear conflict of interest, in the process illegally earning Sh84 million while he served as governor from 2017 to 2022.

Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki ruled that there was sufficient evidence to prove the former county chief and his co-accused guilty.

"After considering the submissions of all the parties, I arrive at the conclusion that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. I find Moses Lenolkulal and 11 accused persons jointly guilty, and I convict each one of you for public acquisition of public property," he determined.

The magistrate relied on over 200 payment vouchers to arrive at the conclusion. "A public officer must take keen interest in the affairs of his office. They should always adhere to principles of good governance. In law a governor stands prohibited from trading with his county government."

"The accounting office flatly lied on oath that they didn't know Lenolkulal was the owner of Oryx. They shouldn't have approved the payments to Oryx," he added.

Those charged alongside the governor were found guilty of abuse of office. Addressing the press at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Courts shortly after the ruling, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi, hailed the ruling as a monumental significance in the fight against corruption.

"It is the first corruption case of a criminal nature involving a Governor to come to its logical conclusion despite an earlier attempt by the DPP to withdraw it," he said. He said the money paid to Lenolkulal's company has since been recovered.

The governor and co-accused will be sentenced tomorrow.