The Governor of West Pokot, within the former Rift Valley Province, is displeased with the EACC. The government body recently associated him with graft, but he has since received an apology.
Yesterday, 4th May 2026, Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) issued an unequivocal apology to Simon Kachapin Kitalel. Kachapin is the governor of West Pokot.
The governor had demanded that the anti-corruption body issue a public apology for associating him with an ongoing graft investigation. The case involves Ksh. 5.3 million, and among those linked to it is one whose name is almost identical to the governor’s.
Apparently, while the governor’s name is Simon Kachapin Kitalel, the accused’s name is Simon Kachapin Kodomuk. Kodomuk is said to have previously served as the county’s Chief Officer for Education, and also the Bursaries Director.
In addition to issuing the apology, the EACC also retracted its erroneous allegation.
It appears there is an ongoing probe regarding county funds lost before 2024, totaling roughly Sh. 1 billion. Some people charged with an $18 million loss for the year 2017/18 were acquitted mid-last year.
About Governor Kachapin
Kachapin is the second governor of West Pokot and is serving his second term. He was the first governor of the county, having won in 2013. He then lost the seat to John Krop Lonyangapuo in 2017, only to recapture it in 2022.
During his first tenure, he established the county’s campus of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) at Kapenguria. He also established the county’s Kisii University campus and the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) College.
He also improved infrastructure as well as agriculture. In his second tenure, Governor Kachapin seems to be placing emphasis on enhancing unity and good governance, even as he continues with development.
Currently, the position of West Pokot County is unlike others, where graft has, in the past, led to the impeachment of the governor by MCAs.