Lomorukai: My son's home was attacked in a political intimidation plot

Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has warned a section of MPs and police officers, accusing them of fanning violence ahead of the 2027 elections.

Lomorukai took on a section of police officers, claiming that they had abandoned security work and were being used to settle political scores.

The Governor said unknown gunmen recently sprayed bullets at the home of his son in a plot to intimidate him.

“Police officers in Turkana are meddling in local politics. They are being used to cause division and breach the peace,” the visibly angry Governor said on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of new county secretary Dr Richard Ekai and chairman of county public service board Ekunyuk Ingolan.

He said it was unacceptable for any security official to reverse the gains his administration had made in peace building.

Lomorukai also alleged that his pastor was shot by unknown individuals and declared that he would not bow to the threats.

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“People think that I started being a leader yesterday. I was a councillor earning Sh7,000 a month and I have experience in politics. You will be playing with fire,” he warned.

He went on: “Others think that I am always a very polite person even when provoked. They should not call me Simba (lion) just for the sake of it.”

He accused police of planting bhang in his neighbour’s home in a scheme to have him arrested yet they (the police) were allegedly aiding the smuggling of illegal drugs through the border county.

“People are aiding very bad businesses and human trafficking yet they are busy engaging in politics,” the Governor said.

Some politicians were working with security apparatus to cause fear, he added.

He called for a security meeting where police officers who are being used by politicians will be identified.

He blamed premature politics for the rise of goons.

“Some people are writing letters to the ODM party to discipline me. They are also writing letters to complain about Lodwar OCS. There are many political parties in Kenya. I don’t write letters because when I feel aggrieved, I face the police officers and tell them to their faces that they have made mistakes,” the county chief said.

But an MP who is critical of the Governor’s leadership accused him of using goons to intimidate his rivals.

Turkana South MP Ariko Namoit claimed that goons associated with some top county officials were causing mayhem and called for an investigation.

He cited an incident where some men were beaten in the presence of police officers in Lodwar on May 16.

He claims the security personnel who were present when the men were being beaten watched helplessly.

“This act has been a continuous business perpetuated by the Governor's goons to threaten the peace-loving citizens living in Turkana. Furthermore, this is seen to be happening and directed to the people with contrary opinions and those against the rogue Government of the day,” the MP claimed.