DPP urges court to impose maximum sentence on former Samburu governor Lenolkulal
Former Samburu County Governor Moses Lenolkulal (left) with his co-accused at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on August 28, 2024.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which previously wanted to withdraw the Sh84 million graft case against former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal, has urged the Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi to hand down the maximum penalty.
Through prosecuting counsel Riungu Gitonga, DPP Renson Ingonga on Thursday told Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki to impose a severe sentence on grounds that the former governor breached the trust of the people of Samburu, a marginalised community.
He submitted that Mr Lenolkulal corruptly received more than Sh83 million from funds allocated to the county from the National Treasury by trading privately with the government he was heading.
"Corruption has to be made painful...this court can make order forfeiture of property acquired through monies received corruptly from the county," he said.
Governors, the DPP said, earn a salary above Sh950,000 but Mr Lenolkulal sought to benefit himself even further.
"I urge this court to hand down the proper sentence on the accused who are first offenders whom the DPP has proven beyond reasonable doubt the accused committed the offence," he said.
Mr Lenolkulal and 10 others were on Wednesday found guilty of conflict of interest, abuse of office and improperly conferring public funds for the supply of fuel from his Oryx Service Station.
The other convicts are former county secretary Stephen Letinina, former chief officers Daniel Nakuo, Josephine Lenasalia, Reuben Lemunyete and Milton Lenolngenje. Others are Geoffrey Kitewan, Paul Lolmingan, Hesbon Wachira, Lilian Balanga and Bernard Lesurmat.
