A Nairobi court on Wednesday upheld an initial ruling by a trial court prohibiting troubled Samburu governor Moses Lenolkulal from accessing his offices in Marallal.
Justice Mumbi Ngugi threw out a petition by Lenolkulal's lawyers that he be allowed to access the offices since he is its constitutional holder and is elected to serve from there.
The judge refused to base her judgement on one individual's interests, the county chief, insisting that the governor cannot be allowed back, as he is under graft investigations.
Justice Ngugi said that having been charged with enriching himself using public coffers earlier in the year, it would be inappropriate to let him go back to preside over the same funds.
“Would it serve the public interest for him to go back to office and preside over the finances of the county that he has been charged with embezzling from? What message does it send to the citizen if their leaders are charged with serious corruption offences, and are in office the following day, overseeing the affairs of the institution," reads the judgement in part as quoted by Citizen Digital.
The court noted that the county leadership is not affected by the governor's absence, thanks to the existence of a deputy governor, and Lenolkulal's presence is therefore not a must.
Justice Ngugi ruled that letting the county back might sabotage county officials enlisted as witnesses in the case where he is charged alongside 13 county officials.