Joho ready for new probe into degree

MOMBASA COUNTY: Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has said he is ready to face a fresh investigation into his degree certificate but criticised the State for opening up a 'closed' matter.

According to the governor, there was no longer a factual or legal basis to doubt the authenticity of his papers from Kampala University following recent declarations by courts in Kampala and Mombasa.

He further said there were no new findings or facts to support such a decision.

"I have no problem whatsoever with the police investigating these claims. I will accord them full co-operation because I know I will once again be vindicated as I have been in both Kenyan and Ugandan courts," said Mr Joho.

He added that he and his lawyers were ready to co-operate with Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko and the police in the new probe.

Meanwhile, Mombasa-based lobby Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) accused the Government of engaging in a witch hunt by ordering a new probe, arguing that the new investigation was a distraction from insecurity and other major problems facing the country.

RECENT DECLARATIONS

Muhuri Executive Director Abdi Abdille yesterday said any attempts to reopen the matter were "idle and irresponsible", and an attempt to distract the governor.

On Wednesday, Mr Tobiko said Joho's degree probe would be reopened following a petition by Silas Otuke, the director of Youth Leadership for Democratic Governance and Guidance.

The county chief in a press statement yesterday welcomed the fresh investigation but noted the DPP's office had probed the matter in the past and closed it after they found the allegation against him had no legal basis.

"I acknowledge the reopening of investigation of the Kampala University degree case by the DPP. This is, however, a matter that was closed by his own office after he satisfied himself that the allegation against my degree from the above mentioned university has no factual or legal basis," said Joho.

Last month, the Uganda High Court declared Joho's degree legal and held that the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) in that country had no jurisdiction to recall or question individual degrees awarded by any university.

But the council on April 30 declared the certificate suspect and recalled it. Kampala University, aggrieved by the decision, went to court to challenge it.

The judge concurred with Kampala University in raising a complaint against NCHE that it had no jurisdiction to recall any degrees.