Garissa governor Jama denies Sh5b theft allegations

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has strongly denied allegations that he stole Ksh5.3 billion from the county coffers, saying that it is a malicious witch-hunt orchestrated by his political rivals.

A  local newspaper reported on July 2 that the High Court had frozen Governor Jama’s bank account for allegedly defrauding the county, allegations that the governor has refuted strongly insisting that the First Community Bank account doing rounds in the media is fake or does not belong to him.

The Wiper Party governor has, however, faulted the newspaper for allegedly propagating false information relayed to them by rogue Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission officials without verifying first.

“I have a letter from First Community Bank CEO saying the statement isn’t original. How can such large sum of money be transacted without the knowledge of CBK? Our, governors, accounts are closely monitored by CBK, how would they allow a transaction to a personal account?” questioned the governor.

“To my political detractors behind this fake information, they need to stop clannism. They wanted to spoil my manifesto launch. They should allow a level playing ground for the gubernatorial race and let the people of Garissa make their own choice without intimidation,” added Governor Jama.

Wiper Party Deputy Leader Farah Maalim also came out to in support of the governor, saying that he reads mischief on the true intentions of the anti-graft officials.

Mr Farah said EACC did not bother to critically asses the nature of the bank statements and urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss Ndegwa Muhoro to conduct investigations on the said officials.

“We know there’s a politician who is on a serious witch hunt and is possibly behind this allegation. Ndegwa Muhoro should get EACC to give him the information for a thorough probe,” said Farah.