West Pokot Assembly Speaker Summoned in Sh260 Million Sacco Fraud Case
West Pokot County Assembly Speaker Frederick Kaptui Plimo is among nine individuals facing charges in connection with an alleged Sh260 million fraud involving Eco-Pillar Sacco Society Limited. The case has attracted attention after prosecutors accused the suspects of participating in a scheme that allegedly saw millions of shillings siphoned from the cooperative society through fraudulent financial transactions over seven years.
Plimo, who currently serves as the Speaker of the West Pokot County Assembly, is expected to appear before the court on November 5, 2026, to take a plea. His appearance follows a court decision to issue summons against him and two other accused persons who were absent when the matter came up for hearing.
The other two individuals summoned alongside the Speaker are Kodich Ward Member of County Assembly Paul Lokitari Ywapamoi and Francis Atodosia. The court warned that warrants of arrest could be issued against the three if they fail to honour the summons and appear on the scheduled date.
The case concerns the alleged loss of Sh260,008,100 from Eco-Pillar Sacco between 2018 and 2025. According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the nine accused persons allegedly conspired to defraud the institution by manipulating its financial transaction systems, creating fraudulent accounts, generating fictitious loans and transferring money into personal bank accounts without proper authorisation.
The prosecution argues that the alleged activities were carried out over an extended period, raising concerns about the management of the Sacco’s financial systems and the safeguards that were supposed to protect members’ savings.
How the alleged Sh260 million fraud was executed
According to the prosecution, the suspected scheme involved several methods intended to facilitate the unauthorised movement of funds from the Sacco.
Investigators allege that the suspects manipulated the Sacco Link transaction systems to facilitate financial irregularities. The prosecution further claims that fraudulent accounts were created and fictitious loans generated, allowing money to be moved from the institution through transactions that allegedly lacked legitimate justification.
The alleged unauthorised transfers were reportedly directed into personal bank accounts, resulting in the loss of more than Sh260 million during the period under investigation.
The prosecution has also raised allegations involving interference with the Sacco’s integrated financial database. According to details contained in the reported charge sheet, some accused persons allegedly introduced malicious code into the system, resulting in the alteration of financial entries.
These allegations form part of the prosecution’s case that the alleged fraud was not simply a matter of isolated financial transactions but involved the manipulation of systems used to manage and monitor the cooperative’s funds.
The investigation also reportedly uncovered allegations involving the misuse of authority by individuals who previously held senior positions within the Sacco.
Some former officials are accused of using their positions to facilitate questionable transactions and direct funds into accounts that were not authorised to receive the money.
However, the allegations remain subject to determination by the court. The prosecution will be required to present evidence establishing the individual responsibility of each accused person.
Nine individuals face different charges
The nine accused persons named in the case include Frederick Kaptui Plimo, Linus Lokira, Paul Lokitari Ywapamoi, Leonard Pchakas an Domoita, Nicholas Toroitich Arusho, Andrew Poriot Lorema, Susan Chesang, Florence Chemotwo and Francis Atodosia.
The group includes individuals who previously served in senior positions within Eco-Pillar Sacco, including chief executive officers, finance officers and information and communications technology officers.
The charges brought against the accused include conspiracy to defraud, stealing by servant, cheating, unauthorised interference with a computer system and abuse of office.
Some of the accused face individual allegations relating to specific sums of money allegedly lost by the institution.
Among the reported allegations, Linus Lokira is accused of stealing approximately Sh12.1 million belonging to the Sacco. Leonard Pchakas an Domoita faces an allegation involving approximately Sh37.75 million, while Andrew Poriot Lorema is accused of stealing about Sh6.9 million.
Nicholas Toroitich Arusho is also accused of stealing approximately Sh13.6 million, while Susan Chesang faces an allegation involving Sh8.1 million.
These individual allegations are separate from the broader conspiracy charge involving the alleged loss of Sh260,008,100.
The prosecution has also accused some former senior officials of abusing their positions by allegedly directing Sacco funds into personal bank and mobile money accounts.
In particular, Plimo and Lokira are jointly accused of abuse of office relating to their alleged actions while serving as chief executive officers of the institution at different times.
The prosecution further alleges that junior employees were pressured to surrender ATM cards and personal identification numbers for use in the transactions. Some employees were allegedly threatened with termination of employment if they failed to cooperate.
These claims, if established through evidence, could point to serious weaknesses in the institution’s internal controls and the protection of employees who may have been exposed to pressure from senior officials.
The accused persons will, however, have an opportunity to respond to the allegations and challenge the prosecution’s evidence as the proceedings continue.
Six accused persons appear in court
When the matter came up before the court, six of the nine accused persons appeared and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
They include Linus Lokira, Leonard Pchakas an Domoita, Nicholas Toroitich Arusho, Andrew Poriot Lorema, Susan Chesang and Florence Chemotwo.
The court directed that a ruling on their bond terms be delivered on November 2, 2026. They were remanded pending the ruling.
The remaining three accused persons, including Plimo, Ywapamoi and Atodosia, were absent from the proceedings. Their absence prompted the court to issue summons requiring them to appear for plea-taking on November 5.
The warning that arrest warrants could be issued if they fail to attend underscores the court’s expectation that all accused persons must comply with its directions and participate in the proceedings.
The prosecution team was led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Patrick Okango, assisted by Faith Koech, Jairus Onkoba, Stephene Mokaya, Gregory Suter, Victor Mamati and Clinton Kere.
The matter is expected to proceed as the court addresses the outstanding plea-taking and bond issues.
Concerns over accountability in cooperative societies
The alleged fraud has also renewed attention on the importance of financial accountability within savings and credit cooperative societies.
Saccos play an important role in Kenya’s financial sector by providing members with opportunities to save, access affordable loans and invest in their economic activities.
For many Kenyans, membership in a cooperative society represents years of financial discipline and sacrifice. Members contribute money with the expectation that their savings will be protected and managed responsibly.
The alleged loss of Sh260 million from Eco-Pillar Sacco therefore raises questions about how financial institutions safeguard members’ contributions and ensure that transactions are properly authorised.
A well-managed Sacco should have effective internal controls, independent audits, reliable digital systems and clear procedures for approving withdrawals and loans.
Financial records should also be regularly reviewed to identify unusual transactions before they develop into larger losses.
The allegations involving fraudulent accounts and fictitious loans highlight the potential risks associated with weaknesses in digital financial systems. As more cooperative societies adopt technology to manage transactions, protecting their databases and monitoring access to financial platforms becomes increasingly important.
Saccos must ensure that employees and senior officials operate within clearly defined responsibilities. No individual should have unchecked authority over the movement of members’ funds.
Independent oversight is equally important. Boards of directors, supervisory committees and external auditors should play an active role in ensuring that financial operations remain transparent and accountable.
The wider implications for West Pokot leadership
The involvement of a sitting County Assembly Speaker in a high-profile financial fraud case is likely to attract public attention beyond the courtroom.
County assemblies are responsible for important oversight functions, including scrutinising county government expenditure, examining public policies and holding county executives accountable.
The Speaker occupies a central position in the institution and is expected to provide leadership while ensuring that assembly proceedings are conducted in accordance with the law.
Although the allegations against Plimo relate to the Sacco rather than the county government’s finances, the case places his public leadership under scrutiny.
It also raises broader questions about public confidence, integrity and the importance of accountability among individuals holding leadership positions.
Nevertheless, being charged with an offence does not amount to a conviction. Plimo and the other accused persons are entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair hearing.
The court will ultimately determine whether the prosecution has sufficient evidence to establish the allegations against each individual.
What happens next?
The immediate next step is the expected appearance of Plimo, Ywapamoi and Atodosia before the court on November 5, 2026, for plea-taking.
The court is also expected to issue its ruling on the bond terms of the six accused persons who appeared and pleaded not guilty.
As the case progresses, the prosecution will have to demonstrate how the alleged transactions were conducted, who authorised them and how the funds were allegedly transferred from the Sacco.
The defence will have an opportunity to challenge the evidence, question witnesses and present its position on the charges.
The case could also provide further details about the alleged manipulation of the Sacco’s financial systems and the roles played by individuals who previously occupied senior positions within the institution.
Ultimately, the proceedings will be important in determining whether the alleged Sh260 million loss resulted from a coordinated fraudulent scheme and whether the individuals named in the case bear criminal responsibility.
For Eco-Pillar Sacco members, the priority will be accountability and clarity over the alleged loss of their institution’s funds. For the wider cooperative sector, the case serves as a reminder that financial institutions must maintain strong safeguards to protect members’ savings.
As the matter heads back to court, attention will remain on the accused persons’ next appearances and the evidence that emerges during the proceedings. The outcome will be closely watched, particularly given the amount involved and the senior positions held by some of those facing charges.
