Turkana MPs want Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to probe County executives over corruption allegations

Members of the Turkana Parliamentary group have petitioned the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate corruption allegations that have marred the Turkana County government.

Led by the group Chairman who is the Turkana North MP Christopher Nakuleu, the MPs alleged that millions of money allocated for development in the County have been misappropriated through corrupt dealings by the County executives.

Nakuleu stated that most of the County executives own local companies which they have registered under names of their relatives. The MP claimed that the executives allegedly collude with County procurement officers and the finance department, irregularly to scoop huge tenders worth millions of money.

“We are aware that most of the County executive own local companies which they award contracts. These are public funds which require transparency .It’s quite absurd that the operation of the County government has turned to be a one man’s show,” the MP said.

The MPs claimed that some of the County executives have opened bank accounts in the neighbouring Countries to avoid being victimized.

The Chairman also wants the EACC to probe the tender malpractices that surrounds the County procurement department. The MP claimed that, the procurement officer has breached the procurement laws by irregularly awarding tenders to political cronies allied to the area governor.

The MPs cited among them roads construction contracts as part of the deal that has been marred with corruption malpractice. 

They have raised a red flag following claims that most of the County executives have bought lavish homes and land worth millions of money in major towns like Eldoret, Nakuru and Nairobi.

“These executives have been in the office for close to two years. Where did they get the money to buy expensive houses, land and luxurious cars? We have severally raised these issues with the EACC and shared some of this information with them, but there has been laxity by the EACC officials to speedily act on the matter,” the chairman said. 

The MPs also want the some of the EACC officials and Auditors who have been dealing with corruption cases in the County government investigated.

“For more than week, they take the officials to Eliyes-springs resort in Lake Turkana to swim and entertain them with all sorts of luxurious. The officials later return to Nairobi with their pockets fat and with clean records”, Nakuleu claimed.

The chairman claimed that some of the EACC officials and officers in the office of the Auditor General have been compromised to protect interests of the County government.

“The people in the region are still reeling in abject poverty despite  huge billion of money allocated to the County .It’s very unfortunate that Turkana County has been rated second in development across the Country  and yet what is on the ground does not reflect the paper work,” the MP regretted .

He said they are in consultations with the Senate to table the report in parliament.

Contacted for Comment, Turkana Governor Joseph Nanok denied the allegations saying the County government has been following due process regarding the Procurement process.

He also challenged anyone who has evidence against any County executive committee member owning companies to share the information with his office. 

Nanok also dismissed claims that he owns Hotel Comfort in Nairobi in Kilimani area near State House which they alleged he bought at 800 million shillings.

“Those malicious allegations have been raised severally. I have no idea who is the owner of Hotel Comfort .I will be happy to know the owner so that I institute a legal action against my accusers. Note that the Journalist had asked about this a few months ago but declined to go public”, Nanok communicated via test message to the Standard.