Former West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo stunned an Eldoret court after admitting that he irregularly procured white maize worth Ksh.17 million to save starving residents during his tenure.
Testifying before Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo, Lonyangapuo confessed that eight years ago, he bypassed standard procurement procedures to source 20,000 bags of maize directly from neighbouring Trans Nzoia County. He said the decision was driven by an urgent need to respond to a severe hunger crisis that threatened the lives of thousands of West Pokot residents.
“I could not watch the people who elected me die while waiting for bureaucratic processes,” the former governor told the court. He explained that a county Cabinet meeting was convened and approved the emergency procurement, which led to the maize being delivered to various National Cereals and Produce Board depots in the region for distribution.
Lonyangapuo was appearing as a witness in an ongoing Ksh.17 million graft case involving six former senior county officials and a cereal trader. The accused include former County Secretary Mike Parklea, Solomon Mereng, Alice Chepkosgei, Joseph Lolamtumtum, Elvis Mwanga, Titus Mayech, and trader Margaret Tuitoek. The group allegedly committed the offences between October 2017 and July 2018.
All the accused, who are currently out on bond, have denied the charges related to the maize procurement deal.
In his defense, Lonyangapuo emphasized that while payment to suppliers was delayed, the maize had already been delivered and served its humanitarian purpose. “It was a matter of life and death. The decision may not have followed the law strictly, but it saved lives,” he argued.
Magistrate Odenyo scheduled the judgment for July 23, 2025.
Written By Rodney Mbua
