Lodwar, Kenya — August 2025
Tensions are escalating in Turkana County after Turkana North Member of Parliament, Hon. Ekwom Nabuin, launched a scathing attack on Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, accusing him of using “fabricated human trafficking claims” as a diversion from a mounting corruption investigation into his administration.
In an explosive press statement delivered Tuesday morning, Hon. Nabuin dismissed recent allegations by the Governor linking elected leaders to cross-border smuggling of undocumented aliens and narcotics—including bhang—branding the claims as “politically motivated distractions” designed to deflect attention from the real issues of graft and mismanagement in county government.
“The Governor is now manufacturing crises and smearing leaders to escape accountability,” Nabuin stated.
“Instead of addressing the serious corruption allegations facing his office, he is shamelessly attempting to weaponize national security narratives to distract the public and intimidate critics.”
The MP’s sharp rebuke follows a dramatic incident on Monday, in which Governor Lomorukai personally took part in the interception of a Liban Coach bus suspected of being used to traffic undocumented refugees from Kakuma Refugee Camp to Nairobi. The Governor later claimed in a press briefing that certain elected officials were complicit in the smuggling operation.
Governor Lomorukai’s actions, while applauded by some for being proactive, have sparked fierce backlash from political leaders, who accuse him of undermining due process and using law enforcement operations as a cover-up tactic amid growing pressure from oversight bodies. Sources within the county have confirmed that Governor Lomorukai’s administration is under audit, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) reportedly investigating questionable tenders and misuse of public funds dating back to 2023
This clash marks the latest chapter in the growing rift between county and national leaders in Turkana, as the 2027 election season looms ever closer. Analysts suggest the Governor’s increasing isolation may be prompting strategic diversions to maintain control over political narratives in the county.
However, Hon. Nabuin warned that such tactics would not succeed:
“Turkana people deserve leadership grounded in truth, not fear. We cannot allow our institutions to be manipulated for personal gain.”