Embattled Turkana County Assembly Speaker Christopher Doye Nakuleu has resigned.
The resignation comes amid an ongoing motion to remove him from office over gross misconduct allegations, tabled by Kalokol ward Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Michael Ebenyo.
According to Nakuleu, following wide consultation with his constituents and supporters across the County, the resignation was a wise move as he prepares to challenge the governorship position come 2027.
“I am writing to formally resign from my position as the speaker of the County Assembly of Turkana effective February 25, 2025. I have gained invaluable experience and forged meaningful connections during my tenure. This decision comes after carefully considering my personal and professional objectives,” read the letter in part.
Last week, at least 36 out of 46 MCAs backed the petition tabled as a notice of special motion to remove the speaker from office over accounts of constitutional violation, gross misconduct and Incompetence.
According to sources, Nakuleu’s predicaments began following a division among MCAs after a disagreement erupted between him and the current governor over the alleged maize relief food scandal.
Earlier on, Nakuleu had raised an alarm over missing beans in relief food distribution, which allegedly did not sit well with the County boss.
However, according to the Speaker, “My role is to carry out oversight and to check on the Executive. The County Assembly allocated Sh 551 million for the purchase of a complete consignment of relief food including maize, beans and vegetable cooking oil but no beans were delivered.”
Adding that: “You are all aware there is a puzzle in the Turkana public and the republic of Kenya about the relief food scandal where the governor up to date has not given responses about the whereabouts of the beans. The County boss must tell the people of Turkana where the relief money went.”
Turkana Governor Jaremiah Lomorukai dismissing Nakuleu’s remarks said they purchased about 119,000 bags of relief maize and cooking oil but funds were not enough to buy the beans.
“What the speaker elucidates is just cheap politics. We could not include the beans in the relief food budget because the MCAs had slashed the proposed budget from Sh 700 million to Sh 551 million,” Lomorukai said.
However, a section of the MCAs who backed the speaker have demanded the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission(EACC) to probe the relief food scandal.
