Did Nathif Jamah get his degree at 15? Ex-governor under probe

 Former Garissa Governor Nathif Jamah (centre) is being investigated over authenticity of his bachelor's degree. 

Police are investigating how former Garissa Governor Nathif Jamah acquired his degree aged 15. This was after a man petitioned Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate if indeed his papers are genuine.

Going by the papers he submitted to IEBC, Jamah was born on January 1, 1969. The papers show he graduated from University of Karachi, in Pakistani with bachelor of commerce in 1984. This means he was 15. Mr Mohamed Ibrahim through Githinji Mwangi and Associates Advocates wrote to the DCI on June 8 asking for a probe. The letter was copied to IEBC and Commission for University Education.

Nathif who vied on Wiper Party, lost to Jubilee’s Ali Korane. Nathif has since petitioned the August 8 polls saying they were irregular. In his letter, the lawyer says there were inconsistencies and irregularities in his nomination papers.

“The aspirant having been born in 1969 would not have possibly completed his degree certificate in 1984 as he was only 15 years,” says the letter.

The lawyer says his client suspects fraud and demands probe into the matter. The Commission for University Education had in May confirmed they recognise University of Karachi. A team of detectives has since been tasked to investigate the matter.

A senior officer at the DCI headquarters said in confidence: “It is a complicated issue that would take long to complete but we are on it.”

Nathif’s lawyer Ahmednasir Abdulahi refused to comment on the matter.