Lenolkulal conviction is a warning to looting governors – Wamalwa

Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa

 Former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa now says that the conviction of former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal should serve as a reminder to governors looting county coffers.

Wamalwa said it should also discourage governors from embezzling funds from counties.

He insisted corruption remains a threat to devolution and as such, governors must know that they shall be held accountable.

"Corruption remains the greatest threat to Devolution. May the conviction and sentencing of former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal act as a deterrence and reminder to Kenya Governors who continue looting County coffers and enriching themselves at the expense of their fellow Citizens, that they shall be held to account," Wamalwa said.

His remarks come a day after Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki sentenced the former Samburu Governor over conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of property charges.

Lenolkulal will have to pay a mandatory fine of Sh83 million to secure his freedom after he was found guilty of corruptly enriching himself while he was in office.

Lenolkulal will also be required to part with another Sh2 million in default and spend eight years in prison, making the total amount he is required to pay Sh85 million.

Lenolkulal's proxy, Hesbon Ndathi was also ordered to pay a mandatory fine of Sh83 million.

"This being a corruption matter, I've considered various objectives, being the objectives of deterrence, retribution, denunciation, and community protection," he said.

He was also disqualified from holding any public office for 10 years.

The Magistrate said the case before the court was in breach of public trust and that the offending act by Lenolkulal was deliberate and in breach of good governance.

"There was no excuse for him to trade with the county. The acquisition of the Sh83 million was a benefit that went into his pocket and that of Ndathi," said the court.

The others, being county officers, were fined Sh700,000 in default and sentenced to four years in prison.

They are Stephen Siringa, Daniel Nakuo, Josephine Naamo, Reuben Marumben, Milton Lenolngenje, Bernard Lesurmat, and Lilian Balanga.

Lenolkulal was charged in 2019 with abuse of office and conflict of interest leading to the alleged loss of Sh83million.

He had been accused of using his company Oryx Service Station to supply petrol and diesel to the county.

The charge sheet indicates Lenolkulal 'knowingly acquired direct private interests in contracts between Oryx and Samburu for the supply of fuel.

by BRIAN ORUTA