Garissa Governor Nathif Jama presents himself at EACC after approval of charges by the DPP

Garissa County Governor Nathif Jama yesterday presented himself to the Ethics and Anti -Corruption Commission (EACC) after charges against him were approved by the Director of Public Prosecution.

The governor who was charged for irregular leasing of ambulance services by the Garissa County Government was accompanied by the Council of Governors chairman Peter Munya, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Wajir Senator Abdirahman Olow, Former House Speaker Farah Maalim and some MPs from the region.

"We respect the opinion of the DPP but my question to him and his team is about the efficiency of this case; why was this file moved so quickly to this office? The file was in DPP's office on Monday and on Thursday it was moved to EACC," said Jama.

He termed it as political witch hunt by a section of political leaders from North Eastern region.

"For this moment, i want to first call for calm in the county. This is flimsy politics and witch hunting. This is a matter of going to court and it should not worry the people of Garissa County. I am sure the court will throw away this case," he added.

He accused a vocal Member of Parliament from Garissa who holds a position in Jubilee Government and the National Assembly to be behind his downfall.

"I want to be very clear that a gentleman, an MP from Garissa who holds a critical position in Jubilee government and National Assembly orchestrated all these. This is the same man who tried to steal my votes in 2013 general election. He used few praxis to file more than sixteen cases against the County Government. After defeating them in all ways, they resorted to using other government channels like EACC hoping that this should be a way to see me out of the race in 2017," Governor Jama said without mentioning names.

He said the MP should avoid using his privileged position in the National Assembly together with his colleagues to conduct a witch hunt.

Council of Governors chairman Peter Munya said the charge which the Garissa governor is accused of was a service which eight counties have undertaken.

"We came in solidarity with the governor who is a key member of the Council. We did not come in solidarity of corruption but because he is an innocent man. We are convinced that he has not broken any law. Politics is being effected into the war against corruption. We do not condone corruption and governors are the key to fighting corruption," said Munya.

Governor Munya said that politicians should not use the war against corruption to handle their political scores but treat governors with dignity and decorum in spite of the charges they are being accused of.

Former House Speaker Farah Maalim alleged that some politicians were pushing for the governor to be taken to court.

"Threatening the DPP and EACC is a legislative graft and form of corruption. Members of Parliament should be brought to court for engaging in this kind of corruption," said Maalim.

On Thursday this week, the DPP approved charges against Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and seven others over alleged irregular leasing of ambulance services.