The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji has ordered for the arrest of Garissa Governor Ali Korane and four others over the misappropriation of public funds amounting to Sh233,506,000 million.
The Governor will be charged alongside Chief Officer Finance Ibrahim Malow, Head of Treasury Mohammed Abdullahi, Municipality County Executive Officer Abdi Shale, and Head of Accounting Ahmed Aden.
According to investigations, DPP Haji said that the misused funds were from the World Bank under the Kenyan Urban Support Programme and were meant to facilitate the construction of Qorahey Market, the re-carpeting of Garissa Township Central Business District roads, the construction of a storm water drainage and pedestrian walkways.
To avoid bias, the DPP said that during the investigation, he appointed an independent team comprising of senior and experienced prosecutors because Garissa was his County of origin.
“Governor Ali Korane abdicated his responsibilities as mandated by the above laws, therefore, facilitating the misappropriation of grant funds,” said DPP Haji.
“He also failed to ensure the administration of grant funds in accordance to with the relevant provision of the law leading to misappropriation of funds by county officials,” he added.
The Governor will be charged for conspiracy to commit an economic crime, willful failure to comply with the law relating to the management of public finances and misappropriation of public funds.
The Garissa Governor becomes the latest County boss to face arrest over misuse of public funds.
Last week, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki surrendered himself to the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission offices in Nairobi after DPP Noordin Haji ordered for his immediate arrest.
