County News
How social media started trouble for Garissa governor Nadhif Jama
Embattled Garissa governor Nadhif Jama.
GARISSA—A leaked version of Garissa County Governor Nadhif Jama’s bank statement was all over the social media earlier this week before his account was frozen by the high court following investigation by anti corruption officials.
The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) investigators told the court that they had obtained the original copies of the entire statement which now supports their allegations.
High Court judge Justice Achode used the governor’s denial as an indication that he was aware of the investigations into the alleged public fund theft.
“We have investigated the matter in a professional and legal way and have gathered information within the law,” said Justice Achode.
Initially, the allegations against Mr Jama on social media was rejected and termed as propaganda but was later considered by the court and investigated to ascertain authenticity.
“My officers are about to conclude investigations into allegations of financial impudence by more governors,”Mr Halake Waqo, the CEO of EACC told the Nation.
The High Court froze Jama’s account on Friday to allow the EACC to inspect transactions amounting to Sh5.2 billion over the last four years.
Ahmednasir Abdullahi, his lawyer took to Twitter and said that governor Nathif will file a suit against Anti corruption CEO and the Sunday Nation.
“(Governor) Nadhif will file suit against EACC CEO Halakhe and the Sunday Nation…Grand and well planned scheme to finish Gov Nadhif,” he tweeted.
He discredited the alleged bank statements as having originated from River Road as a tool by Nathif’s political opponents.
“The alleged bank statements are from River Road,” he added.
According to court filings, EACC believes the money, which is held in Mr Jama’s account in Nairobi’s South C branch of the First Community Bank, was fraudulently transferred from the county government of Garissa.
Six large deposits totaling Sh2.3 billion all from Garissa county have raised eye brows.
EACC CEO Halakhe Waqo told the Nation the commission obtained genuine documents from the bank and confirmed the transactions took place in the Integrated Financial Management Information System, the automated system that handles all financial transactions in the national and county governments.
Justice Lydia Achode ordered the account be frozen for six months as investigations continue.
