The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission detectives recovered Sh6.5 million from the car belonging to the Turkana County Executive Committee Member for Finance in a Sh600 million fraud probe.
This happened during a raid on Michael Eregae Ekidor’s house and office in the ongoing probe.
The team raised premises and offices of nine other officers at the county.
The commission Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud revealed they had earlier on obtained Court Orders dated March 3, 2025, freezing Sh180,000,000 in bank accounts belonging to Abenyo Amathwel Etiir, a Security Warden at the County Government and his associated companies.
On Thursday April 10, the team upon obtaining search warrants, conducted searches at the residences and offices of ten suspects including County Executive Committee Member, Chief Officers and other senior officials of the County Government of Turkana.
The persons of interest in the investigation include Michael Eregae Ekidor – County Executive Committee Member, Finance, Peter Lomurukai – Chief Officer, Municipalities and Urban Management, Mark Achila Ekiru – Chief Officer, Roads and Transport, Samson Nakito – Director, Procurement and Lillian Alaper Ateyo – Senior Accountant.
The others are Annah Narot Longoli – Cleaning Supervisor, Turkana County and John Tioko Ekal (Spouse), Abenyo Amathwel Etiir – Security Warden, Turkana County Government, Stephen Lowoton – Former Assistant Director Accounting, William Erex Aminit – Businessman and Nangiro Edung Ichor- Businessman
The operation is part of an ongoing investigations in the County Government of Turkana in relation to allegations of embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest and abuse of office against several Turkana County Government officials who are alleged to have traded with the County through various companies, resulting in payments of over Sh600 million for alleged procurement of goods/services between the financial year 2022 and 2024, Mohamud said.
The commission is investigating allegations that Michael Eregae Ekidor, Chief Executive Committee Member for Finance has amassed massive wealth, assets and income during his tenure.
“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,” the CEO said.
He said the operation was successful and their probe is ongoing.
“The operations has yielded valuable evidentiary material to support the ongoing investigations including Sh6.5 million in cash, recovered inside Michael Eregae’s motor vehicle.”
“The money is suspected to be proceeds of corruption,” the commission said.
The group was escorted to Government offices in Lodwar to record statements.
“Upon completion of the inquiry, the outcome will inform appropriate action which may include prosecution of any culpable persons, recovery of unexplained wealth and proceeds of corruption,” said Mohamud.
The commission is investigating dozens of other counties over claims of graft.
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