Former Samburu County Governor Moses Lenolkulal has been convicted by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court for corruptly receiving over KSh 83 million from the county government he once led.
Lenolkulal was found guilty of using proxies to supply fuel and oil products to the county through his Oryx Service Station between March 2013 and March 2019, making him the first former governor to be convicted of corruption since the inception of devolution in 2013.
Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki, who presided over the case, ruled that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Lenolkulal acted in conflict of interest. “I arrive at the conclusion that the prosecution has proven without reasonable doubt that the accused persons are guilty,” Magistrate Nzioki stated.
Lenolkulal was convicted alongside former county secretary Stephen Letinina and former chief officers Daniel Nakuo, Josephine Lenasalia, Reuben Lemunyete, and Milton Lenolngenje. Others found guilty include Geoffrey Kitewan, Paul Lolmingan, Hesbon Wachira, Lilian Balanga, and Bernard Lesurmat.
The group was implicated in abuse of office, conflict of interest, and improperly conferring public funds to Lenolkulal.
The court found that Lenolkulal had attempted to disguise his involvement by appointing businessman Hesbon Ndathi, who was also his landlord, to operate the petrol station and manage its financial dealings. Despite Lenolkulal’s claims that he had declared his interest in 2015, the court dismissed this as a “mockery and a cheat to the law.”
Magistrate Nzioki also denied the defense’s request for bail pending sentencing, citing the severity of the crimes. “I do not find it appropriate to accord the accused persons bail,” he said, reinforcing the gravity of the conviction.
