Former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal has been fined approximately KES 85 million after being found guilty of unlawfully acquiring KES 84 million from county coffers.
The Milimani Anticorruption Court in Nairobi convicted Lenolkulal and 10 co-accused on charges including abuse of office, conflict of interest, and unlawful acquisition of public property.
Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyioka delivered the sentence, citing four guiding factors: deterrence, retribution, denunciation, and community protection.
The court ordered Lenolkulal and businessman Hesbon Jack Wachira to each pay a fine of KES 83,345,255, equivalent to the amount misappropriated from public funds. Failure to pay will result in a four-year prison sentence.
“The former governor breached an oath taken under the constitution of Kenya to protect and uphold the rule of law,” said Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Joseph Riungu during the proceedings. He added that Lenolkulal “betrayed the people of Samburu County.”
In addition to the primary fine, Lenolkulal was ordered to pay an additional KES 1 million or face a further four-year sentence for conflict of interest. The court also disqualified him from holding any elective office for 10 years.
Other former county officials implicated in the case received significant penalties as well. Daniel Nakuo Lenolkirina, Josephine Naamo Lenasalia, Reuben Marumben Lemunyete, Linus Milton Lenolngenje, Paul Lolmingani, Benard Ltarasi Lesurmat, and Lilian Balanga were each sentenced to pay a fine of KES 700,000 or serve four years in prison for abuse of office.
