EACC Goes After Governor's Sh661 Million Suspicious Wealth

Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal is under investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over Sh661.2 million suspicious wealth.

EACC wants Governor Lenolkulal to explain the source of the wealth acquired since March 2013 when he was elected into office.

The wealth in question includes four parcels of land in Nairobi's Karen neighborhood, luxury vehicles, money in personal bank accounts, and MPesa deposits.

EACC notes that his net salary for the period between July 2013 and February 2019 was Sh42.3 million but he acquired assets worth Sh703.5 million, giving a net value of Sh661.2 million.

“The commission reasonably suspected that you engaged in corruption and economic crime having unexplained assets,” EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak says in a letter dated April 19th.

“You are hereby afforded a reasonable opportunity to explain in writing the disproportion between the assets concerned and your known legitimate sources of income within 14 days of receipt of this notice.” 

Governor Lenolkulal, who has until May 3rd to respond to the letter, is required to supply EACC with information regarding the source of cash deposits and transfers, cost of acquisition of the properties, and dates and development costs of the structures erected on the properties.

The anti-graft agency also wants him to provide supporting documents such as sale agreements, transfer documents, lease agreements, and bank receipts for payments of every property.

Speaking to Sunday Nation, the governor accused EACC of malice, saying the matter is already in court as Civil Suit No. 21 of 2019, in which the commission is seeking to recover assets whose source it believes is through proceeds of graft.

“I think this is unfair. This is an issue in court and I consider it subjudice,” Lenolkulal said.