Muslim clerics throw weight behind Jama

Saturday July 8, 2017

Sheikh Dadhane and Sheikh Abdi Noo Bishar have a word Garissa Governor Nathif Jama after endorsing his re-election bid in Garissa yesterday. / STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama received a major boost in his reelection bid on Friday after 400 Muslim clerics endorsed him.

The Muslim leaders headed by Mohamed Gedi threw their weight behind Jama, saying he established peaceful co-existence and promoted cohesion among communities.

The endorsement by the clerics is significant because the clerics command respect among residents.

“On behalf of my fellow clerics, we have unanimously agreed to support the governor. We will reach out to our people to re-elect him,” said Gedi.

This comes amid allegations that the governor’s Sh5.2 billion account had been frozen. A story published in the Nation last week said the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission had successfully asked the High Court to freeze Jama’s account at the First Community Bank.

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However, in letter dated July 5 that surfaced online yesterday, written by the commission’s CEO Halakhe Waqo, the anti-corruption agency distanced itself from the Nation report, saying it was not the source of the information.

The letter says,“The commission undertook investigations on the alleged misappropriation of Sh5.2 billion after it received reports supported by a bank statement from a complainant on Monday June 26.”

The commission therefore deeply regrets the anxiety and frustration this has caused and strongly assures you it will remain impartial, fair and Just in carrying out constitutional mandate.

Jama denounced the allegations, saying such statements were likely to undermine peace and tranquility among the residents of Garissa.

“It’s unfortunate independent institutions can stoop low and are now being used by self-seeking politicians to harass their opponents whom they see as their threat. This trend should be stopped,” he said.

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