FORMER SAMBURU GOVERNOR MOSES LENOLKULAL FINED FOR GRAFT CASE
Former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal was ordered to pay a compulsory fine of Sh83 million following his being found guilty of corruptly acquiring wealth when he served in the office.
Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki delivered the sentence and further imposed an additional Sh2 million fine should he default the payment, bringing the financial penalties to Sh85 million.
Magistrate Nzyoki said, “This being a corruption matter, I have considered various objectives, being the objectives of deterrence, retribution, denunciation, and community protection.”
He emphasized that Lenolkulal’s actions constituted a clear breach of public trust and good governance.
Lenolkulal was found guilty of conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of property. His proxy, Hesbon Ndathi, was also ordered to pay a similar obligatory fine of Sh83 million.
As the magistrate said, “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.”
Besides the fines, Lenolkulal was barred from holding any public office for a period of ten years. The disqualification to hold public office shows the severity of the breach of public trust.
The court has also fined several county officers involved in the case and further slapped them with prison terms. Stephen Siringa, Daniel Nakuo, Josephine Naamo, Reuben Marumben, Milton Lenolngenje, Bernard Lesurmat, and Lilian Balanga were each fined Sh700,000, with a default of four years’ imprisonment in case of failure to pay the fine.
The sentence was passed four hours after the counsels concluded presenting their arguments on mitigation at 2 pm.
Lenolkulal, however, has announced that he will be appealing the decision. He said he was confident that eventually he would be discharged and maintained that he believes the judgment will be overturned.
