The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Thursday conducted sweeping raids at the homes and offices of ten individuals, including top officials from the Turkana County Government, as part of a major investigation into a procurement fraud scheme estimated at over Ksh.600 million.
At the heart of the probe is Michael Eregae Ekidor, the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Finance. According to the EACC, Ekidor and several other county officials are suspected of engaging in illegal business dealings with the county government through a network of companies that collectively received more than Ksh.600 million. These payments were allegedly made for the procurement of goods and services during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years.
“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 EACC in a statement.
During Thursday’s operation, investigators discovered Ksh.6.5 million in cash inside a vehicle belonging to CEC Ekidor, further raising suspicions about the source of his wealth.
Ekidor is being investigated alongside other officials, including Peter Lomurukai, the Chief Officer for Municipalities and Urban Management; Mark Achila Ekiru, the Chief Officer for Roads and Transport; Samson Nakito, the Director of Procurement; Lillian Alaper Ateyo, a Senior Accountant; and Annah Narot Longoli, the Cleaning Supervisor in Turkana County.
Also implicated in the scandal are John Tioko Ekal, believed to be a spouse to one of the officials; Abenyo Amathwel Etiir, a Security Warden with the County Government; Stephen Lowoton, the former Assistant Director of Accounting; and businessmen William Erex Aminit and Nangiro Edung Ichor.
