The Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi has convicted former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal and 12 others in the Oryx Filling Station scandal, where he, as the proprietor, supplied his county, leading to conflict and abuse of office.
Lenolkulal is the first ex-governor to be convicted in an anti-corruption case.
He has been found guilty of corruptly receiving Sh84 million for supplying petroleum products to the county government during his tenure.
Trial Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki noted that the evidence, including over 200 payment vouchers and invoices, showed that Lenolkulal and his proxy, Hesbon Ndathi, were the principal beneficiaries of these funds.
The magistrate criticised the action stating, “A public officer must take a keen interest in the affairs of his office. They should always adhere to principles of good governance. In law, a governor stands prohibited from trading with his county government.”
The court also faulted the county secretary for approving payments despite being aware of Lenolkulal’s ownership of Oryx Service Station. The accounting office was condemned for misleading the court about their knowledge of the ownership.
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi has hailed the ruling as a significant milestone.
“It is the first corruption case of a criminal nature involving a governor to come to its logical conclusion despite an earlier attempt by the DPP to withdraw it,” Ngumbi said, adding that the funds paid to Lenolkulal’s company have been recovered through a separate civil suit filed by the EACC.
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