Nimrod Ekamais Lomorukai, the 22-year-old son of Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, has accused supporters of his father’s political rivals of orchestrating a brutal assault against him in 2024. Testifying before Eldoret Principal Magistrate Cherono Kesse, Nimrod, a professional footballer, claimed the attack was politically motivated.
He told the court that his father had previously warned him about growing hostility from political opponents in the region.
On the day of the attack, Nimrod said he had been playing pool at a local hotel when one of Turkana South MP John Namoit Ariko’s close aides confronted him in the parking lot. Without warning, the aide, later identified as Peter Etung, allegedly slapped him before others joined in and began beating him.
The assault, according to Nimrod, left him lying face down on the ground in pain. A friend who had accompanied him rushed to his aid, attempting to stop the attackers. The situation reportedly calmed down when Nimrod’s elder brother, Lavish, arrived at the scene. As Lavish stepped out of his vehicle, the attackers fled toward the hotel, leaving Nimrod injured.
“On that day, I was at Cherina’s Hotel in the company of my friends. I called my elder brother Lavish to come and pick me up. While waiting, I was suddenly slapped by someone I recognized as Peter Etung. He was soon joined by others who started beating me,” Nimrod said.
Represented by lawyer Richard Warigi, Nimrod told the court that his brother immediately drove him to Lodwar town. There, he reported the incident to the police, received a P3 form, and was later treated and discharged at Lodwar County Referral Hospital.
However, the court-ordered medical report invalidated part of Nimrod’s claims. The report showed there were no bloodstains on his clothes or visible injuries on his body, contrary to his claim of severe physical injury.
The mood in the court remained tense during the proceedings. Anti-riot-clad security officers were stationed early in the morning to hold back growing numbers of supporters from either side. Students whose political affiliations are from competing politicians from universities and colleges were spotted encircling the courthouse as early as 7:30 a.m., prompting police to close off the facilities.
The court is handling the case against eight accused individuals, including Turkana South MP John Namoit Ariko, who are charged with assaulting and causing actual harm to others. They also face another charge of conspiring to defeat justice, as stipulated by Section 117(a) of the Penal Code.
The other accused are Peter Lokutuni, David Nangiro, Jemostar Akooyen, Bornfestus Nabuin, Joseph Ekitela, Sammy Ekitele, and James Abel.
The court adjourned the case until October 24, 2025.
