Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai Napotikan has defended his administration’s development record while calling for investigations into the distribution of National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursaries in Loima Constituency.
The Governor made the remarks during the Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme held in Lomil, Loima Sub-County, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth through grassroots empowerment initiatives.
Lomorukai said the county government is working closely with Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to implement development projects across Turkana. He stated that each ward has been allocated KSh50 million for development and said elected leaders should be held accountable for how those resources are utilized.
“Every MCA has KSh50 million for the development of their ward. Any MCA who comes back complaining has failed in their responsibility,” the Governor said.
The Governor also called on Kenya’s anti-corruption agencies to investigate the allocation of NG-CDF bursaries in Loima Constituency, alleging that the funds may not be reaching the intended beneficiaries.
According to Lomorukai, approximately KSh60 million is allocated annually for bursaries in the constituency, but he claimed that only between KSh5 million to KSh10 million reaches students. He further alleged that principals of two major schools in the constituency were involved in the mismanagement of bursary funds and urged investigators to establish the truth.
The Governor did not present evidence to support the allegations during his speech. The Loima NG-CDF office, the principals mentioned by the Governor, and other relevant officials had not publicly responded to the claims at the time of publication.
Lomorukai also defended himself against corruption allegations that have been raised against him in recent years, maintaining that he has never been investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and has never stolen public funds.
“If you come to my place, you will not find a single stolen shilling. I live on the fruits of my hard work and share them with the people of Turkana. Some people call me a thief, yet they go to church and say, ‘Praise the Lord.’ You cannot insult your fellow human being and then claim to worship God. That is disrespectful to the church,” he said.
The Governor’s remarks come more than a year after the EACC launched investigations into alleged financial impropriety within the Turkana County Government. The investigations led to searches, scrutiny of several county officials, and court proceedings involving the preservation of some assets. The investigations remain separate from the Governor’s remarks, and no court has found him guilty of corruption.
In December 2024, Lomorukai also called on the EACC to investigate the alleged misuse of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources by some Members of Parliament in Turkana County.
The funds were established to improve the welfare of residents by addressing a range of social and economic needs. When effectively managed, they can support small businesses, empower women and young people, provide relief during emergencies, and improve livelihoods across the county. However, concerns have been raised by some Members of Parliament over the management and utilization of the funds, prompting calls for investigations to determine whether public resources are being used transparently and for their intended purposes.
The Governor’s remarks also come against the backdrop of ongoing political exchanges over the management of public funds in Turkana County. In February this year, Turkana Central MP Joseph Emathe Namuar called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate several public accounts established by the Turkana County Government, including the Biashara Fund, the Youth and Women Empowerment Fund, and the Emergency Fund, over alleged misappropriation of public resources.
“I would strongly urge EACC officials to thoroughly investigate the public accounts opened by Turkana County,” Namuar said.
Concluding his address, the Governor said empowering community groups remains central to his administration’s development agenda, arguing that such initiatives promote self-reliance, improve household livelihoods, create economic opportunities, and contribute to sustainable development across the county.
