Hidden Hand in Elgeyo Marakwet Governor’s Date With EACC?

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos was on Thursday (November 14, 2019) grilled by Ethics and Anti-Corruption (EACC) officials but denied he was summoned over alleged misappropriation of Ksh200 million. 

The governor was interrogated at the Integrity Centre between 9am and 11am to clarify, he said, questions raised over the supply of fuel to Elgeyo Marakwet County Government between 2013 and 2016 for the County’s Department of Health.

Tolgos, serving his second term as governor, was accompanied by Deputy Governor Wisley Rotich, Chief of Staff Barmaasai Kipng’etich and County Secretary Paul Chemmuttut.

“For the record,” Tolgos’s office said in a dispatch to the media, “the amount under investigation relates to an expenditure of Ksh742,670 that the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet drew fuel, other petroleum products which include oils and servicing of motor vehicles for the period under review.”

The dispatch explained that most of the fuel expenditure was used for ambulance services for Iten County Referral Hospital, Chebiemit and Tambach Sub County Hospitals mostly on emergency evacuation and referral cases.

There have been reports that Ksh200 million has been misappropriated by the county government.  The governor’s office said it had furnished EACC with all information and documents relating to the matter.  

The governor’s latest woes are being seen as political, with the hand of Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen being seen it. Murkomen has been at loggerheads with Tolgos after the governor opposed the construction of Arror and Kimwarer dams until residents were compensated.

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Besides, Tolgos backs the handshake wing of the Jubilee Coalition which supports the truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga which, incidentally, goes against Murkomen and Deputy President William Ruto’s political ideology.

Arror & Kimwarer connection

The two are among the vocal supporters of the dam project, which was halted due to allegations of corruption that saw Nation Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich step aside.

Tolgos claims the proceeds of Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal are being used to cause friction in the county.

“Elgeyo Marakwet has been leading on transparency and accountability where it involves members of the public and any other interested parties in decision making,” the statement from the governor’s office says.

“The Governor, therefore, welcomes all State agencies to audit the County services and propriety.”

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