Former West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo surprised an Eldoret court by confessing that he acquired a consignment of white maize worth Sh17 million without adhering to official procurement procedures.

Lonyangapuo told Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo that eight years ago, during his tenure as governor, he personally arranged for 20,000 bags of white maize to help residents facing severe hunger due to the urgent situation at the time.

The court was also informed that the governor called a Cabinet meeting, where members approved the direct procurement of maize from neighboring Trans Nzoia County to urgently assist starving families in West Pokot and prevent loss of lives due to hunger.

Former West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo was testifying in a case involving six senior officials, including a cereal trader, accused of a Sh17 million maize procurement scam during his tenure.

The accused former County Secretary, Mike Parklea, Solomon Mereng, Alice Chepkosgei, Joseph Lolamtumtum, Elvis Mwanga, Titus Mayech, and trader Margaret Tuitoek are alleged to have committed the offence between October 11, 2017, and July 2018 in West Pokot County.

All are currently out on bond and have denied the graft charges.

Lonyangapuo defended his decision to bypass the lengthy procurement process to urgently provide relief food, saying he could not stand by while those who put him in power faced starvation.

He also justified the delayed payments, noting that suppliers had already delivered maize to National Cereals and Produce Board depots awaiting distribution to hungry families.

Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo ruled that judgment will be delivered on July 23, 2025.