Nairobi, Kenya
September 11, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — The Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, has ordered for the arrest of Garissa governor, Hon Ali Korane, and four other county officials for the embezzlement of over 233 million shillings.
The money was a grant from the world bank through the ministry of Transport and Infrastructure under Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP).
According to documents extended to Nyamilepedia press, the money was intended for the development of four projects; construction of Qorahey market, re-carpeting of Garissa Township CBD roads and construction of storm water drainage and pedestrian walk ways.
It was alleged that the governor and some of the county officials diverted the funds to different projects between February 2019 and September 2019; however, the said projects were non-existence and could not be verified on the ground.
The governor is being accused of failing to provide leadership to the county governance as well as failing to ensure proper administration of funds in accordance to the relevant provision of the law.
The DPP Yusuf Haji said in a statement sent to the press that there is enough evidence to support these charges under the Anti-Corruption and the Economic Crimes Act, 2013 and the Public Finance Management Act, 2012.
“Having been persuaded been persuaded by the findings and recommendations of the team, I adopt their findings that there is sufficient evidence to support charges under the Anti-Corruption and the Economic Crimes Act, 2013 and the Public Finance Management Act, 2012,” Read the statement.
According to the reports, the Governor, Ali Korane, should be charged together with Chief Finance Officer, Ibrahim Nur Malow, Head of treasury Mohammed Adullahi, County Executive officer municipality, Abdi Shale, and Head of accounting at the municipal, Ahmed Aden.
Ali Korane now joins the long list of governors on the EACC radar with the commission saying counties have become the new graft bastions.
Earlier this week, Tharaka Nithi governor Muthomi Njuki was questioned over county misappropriation of monies.
The EACC targets seven more governors over abuse of office and corruption. The governors include Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Mohamud Ali (Marsabit), Amason Kingi (Kilifi), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a).
