- EACC Arrests Turkana Nurse, Business Associate Over Ksh2.76 Million County Contracts
- Turkana Nurse Faces Graft Charges Over Company That Received Ksh2.76 Million
- EACC Moves to Prosecute Turkana Nurse and Business Partner Over Alleged Conflict of Interest
- Ksh2.76 Million in Focus as EACC Targets Turkana Nurse and Supplier Company
A Turkana County government nurse and his business associate are facing possible prosecution over alleged irregular county contracts worth Ksh2.76 million, following investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). The commission alleges that the nurse used a company he co-owned to secure payments from the same public institution that employed him, raising questions about accountability and conflicts of interest in public service.
Highlights
- EACC has arrested Gilbert Suleiman Eskuku, a county-employed nurse, and his business associate, Abass Abdi Yusuf.
- Investigators are examining contracts allegedly awarded to Ekwang Suppliers Company Limited between 2017 and 2021.
- The company reportedly received Ksh2,763,681 from the Turkana County government.
- The suspects and the company are expected to face charges relating to conflict of interest, money laundering and proceeds of crime.
- EACC intends to pursue the recovery of the disputed funds and the forfeiture of assets allegedly acquired using criminal proceeds.
Main Story
EACC Investigates Turkana County Contract Payments
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a nurse employed by the Turkana County government alongside his business partner over alleged irregularities involving public procurement contracts worth approximately Ksh2.76 million.
The suspects are Gilbert Suleiman Eskuku, a registered nurse working for the county government, and Abass Abdi Yusuf, who co-directs Ekwang Suppliers Company Limited with Eskuku.
According to the commission, the case stems from contracts allegedly awarded to the company between 2017 and 2021. Investigators suspect that Eskuku used his position as a public officer to facilitate business dealings between his company and the county government.
Alleged Conflict of Interest at the Centre of the Case
EACC says its investigations established that Eskuku was a director of Ekwang Suppliers Company Limited while remaining employed by the county government.
The commission alleges that the company obtained contracts and received payments from the same public institution where Eskuku worked, creating a potential conflict between his private commercial interests and his public responsibilities.
Investigators also suspect that the nurse withdrew the money in cash shortly after the payments were made. According to EACC, the transactions are being examined as part of efforts to establish whether the funds were handled in a manner intended to conceal their origin.
The allegations have not yet been determined in court, and the suspects will have an opportunity to respond to the charges through the legal process.
DPP Approves Prosecution
EACC forwarded its investigation file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved charges against the two individuals and their company.
The proposed charges include conflict of interest, money laundering and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
EACC Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication Stephen Karuga confirmed that the suspects were processed at the commission’s North Rift Regional Office in Eldoret before their planned appearance before the Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Their court appearance is expected to mark the next stage of a case focused on the alleged misuse of public resources and the relationship between public employment and private business interests.
EACC Seeks Recovery of Ksh2.76 Million
Beyond the criminal proceedings, the commission says it plans to initiate civil action to recover the Ksh2,763,681 paid to Ekwang Suppliers Company Limited.
EACC also intends to seek the forfeiture of any assets found to have been purchased using proceeds of crime, as investigators pursue the recovery of public funds allegedly obtained through unlawful dealings.
The recovery process would be separate from the criminal case and would focus on whether the disputed money or related assets can legally be reclaimed.
Commission Calls for Stronger Conflict-of-Interest Controls
The case has also renewed attention on the importance of enforcing rules governing the conduct of public officers.
EACC has urged government departments and other public institutions to strengthen compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025. The commission wants public entities to put measures in place that help employees disclose potential conflicts, manage competing interests and prevent situations where private business dealings undermine their official duties.
For taxpayers, the case highlights a central question in public accountability: how can government institutions ensure that public money is spent transparently and that procurement decisions serve the interests of citizens?
The court proceedings are expected to provide an opportunity for the allegations to be tested, with the recovery of the disputed funds also remaining a priority for investigators.
Public office comes with public trust, and protecting that trust requires transparency, accountability and the courage to hold everyone to the same standards.
