Keriako Tobiko approves abuse of office charges against Garissa Governor Nathif Jama

Kenya: The Director of Public Prosecutions has approved charges against Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and seven others over alleged irregular leasing of ambulance services.

This was as per the recommendations of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

DPP Keriako Tobiko directed the commission to charge the governor and his staff with various criminal charges.

EACC has been investigating allegations of irregular leasing of ambulance services by the Garissa County Government from the Emergency Plus (EPlus), which is owned by Kenya Red Cross.

The commission recommended various criminal charges including abuse of office and wilful failure to comply with procurement regulations.

“I agreed with EACC that there is sufficient evidence disclosed against the Governor and other county officials and therefore direct that prosecution should ensue as recommended by EACC,” said Tobiko.

He also agreed with EACC to clear Siaya Senator James Orengo of allegations that he colluded with former Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa and former Commissioner of Lands Zablon Mabeya to irregularly dispose of land on Ring Road Westlands, Nairobi.

Orengo had been accused of committing the offence when he served as Lands minister in 2008.

He and Mabeya were further accused of pocketing Sh5 million bribes each for their role in the scandal, while the land was sold for Sh320 million.

Tobiko, however, ordered EACC to open separate inquiry to establish the circumstances under which the said property, which was public property, was allocated to private entities.

The DPP ordered the commission to carry out further investigations and resubmit file on the Managing Director of the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation (NWCPC) Evans Ngibuini. He is accuse of irregularly procuring the Structural Cabling of the NWCPC head office block as well as hiring unqualified staff.

EACC had recommended that the file be closed for lack of evidence of criminal culpability against Ngibuini.

The DPP also ordered that former Mumias Sugar Company manager Peter Hongo be arrested and charged in court over alleged theft of 2,780 bags of sugar.

Hongo was among many officials under probe over claims of corruption at the company.