Alfred Mutua, Kidero among 30 Sitting, Former Governors Lined Up for Prosecution

Alfred Mutua and Evans Kidero are among more than 30 sitting and former governors lined up for prosecution over corruption.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has reopened all stalled cases against the sitting and former county heads, reports Daily Nation. The cases stalled after the affected Governors obtained injunctions from the court stopping their prosecution.

Renewed fight against graft by EACC has already seen former Nyandarua Governor Waithaka Mwangi and Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong arrested and charged.

The arrest of Ojaamong sent his colleagues into panic, forcing the Council of Governors (CoG) to demand for immunity from prosecution while in office.

“The best practice in jurisdictions that are devolved is that the heads of both levels of government have immunity on civil and criminal proceedings while they are in office,” said CoG chairman and Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok after arrest of Ojaamong.

Former Nyandarua Governor Waithaka was arrested in Nyeri on Thursday and charged with “willful failure to comply with the law relating to the procurement, contrary to Section 48 of the Economic Crimes Act, 2003” in a Nakuru court on Friday.

Ojaamong was charged in relation to a dubious tender that led to the loss of Sh8 million in 2014.

Dr Alfred Mutua, Dr Evans Kidero, Mwangi wa Iria, Samuel Ragwa, Godana Doyo, Nathif Jama, Martin Wambora, Okoth Obado and Cyprian Awiti are other sitting and former Governors under EACC's radar.

Appearing before Senate committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights few weeks ago, EACC chairperson Eliud Wabukala and CEO Halakhe Waqo said they have already recommended the arrest and prosecution of three sitting governors and one former governor for abuse of office and economic crimes.

"These are not the petty corruption files but they are all serious files which have been investigated over the last one or two years. Some of them have been suspended because of court orders but they were lifted. In the days to come more files will be forwarded to DPP which also carry similar weight," Waqo told the senators.