Elvis Kipkosgei Chumo, the first-born son of former Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) Managing Director Dr. Ben Chumo, has emerged as a central figure in a fuel theft scandal that has rocked KPLC’s operations in Lodwar.
Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) raided KPLC’s Lodwar offices on November 15, 2024, following the disappearance of fuel valued at KSh 207.65 million from the Turkana Off-Grid Power Station.
Elvis, along with other suspects, has reportedly gone into hiding to evade arrest.
The scandal centers on the unexplained loss of fuel meant to power the Turkana Off-Grid Station, raising questions about KPLC’s operational integrity and the effectiveness of its internal controls.
Investigators have uncovered discrepancies in inventory records, suggesting the presence of a well-coordinated scheme involving both internal and external parties.
Although one suspect was apprehended during the raid, authorities are ramping up efforts to apprehend Elvis and his alleged accomplices.
Elvis Chumo’s alleged role in the scandal casts a spotlight on his family’s controversial history with KPLC.
His father, Dr. Ben Chumo, who once helmed the utility company, has previously been linked to procurement scandals and other governance failures.
The younger Chumo’s alleged involvement has reignited scrutiny of the culture of nepotism and insider dealings that has long plagued KPLC, further eroding public trust in the institution.
This scandal adds to the bunch of governance failures at KPLC, which has been accused of systemic inefficiencies, including inflated billing and irregular payments to independent power producers.
A notable example is the Sh18 billion paid for unused power to Lake Turkana Wind Power, a case that remains unresolved.
The current fuel theft case further highlights the entrenched corruption undermining public utilities in Kenya.
The situation in Turkana County poses the broader implications of such scandals.
Despite the region’s vast natural resources, it continues to experience underdevelopment, with locals lamenting the exploitation of these resources for the benefit of elites rather than the community.
The disappearance of fuel intended for the Turkana Off-Grid Power Station has deepened this frustration, as residents grapple with unreliable power supply and stagnant economic growth.
Authorities, led by the EACC and DCI, are intensifying their investigations and have issued warrants for the arrest of the suspects on the run.
Public appeals for information regarding their whereabouts have been made, emphasizing the need for cooperation in the fight against corruption.
The raid on KPLC’s Lodwar offices underscores the urgent need for accountability and transparency within Kenya’s public utilities sector.
Attention remains fixed on the culpability of individuals and the institutional weaknesses that have allowed such graft to thrive.
The outcome of this case will be a critical test of Kenya’s resolve to combat corruption and protect public resources.
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