Former Garissa governor Nathfi Jama. He has been acquitted of charges in a case of illegally hiring ambulances. (Photo-Citizen digital)
A Garissa court on Wednesday acquitted former governor Nathif Jama of all charges in a case he had been charged with illegally hiring seven ambulances from Kenya Red Cross E-Plus.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had in 2016 taken the governor and six of his tender committee members to court for allegedly flouting procurement procedures.And in today’s ruling Garissa chief magistrate Cosmas Maundu while dismissing the case said the witnesses contradicted themselves and evidence adduced in court were ‘weak’. EACC had lined up 12 witnesses among them Kenya Red secretary general Abass Gulet.During the hearing, Nathif lawyers led by Amunga Cohen had asked the court to terminate the proceeding citing the former roads and infrastructure CS Eng. Michael Kamau case terminated on grounds that EACC had no commissioners who were supposed to recommend the case to the DPP for prosecution.However, EACC prosecutors in Nathif’s wanted the case withdrawn and brought before court afresh. Nathif’s lawyers vehemently dismissed the request.Maundu granted the defense request and in his ruling said even if the case was to proceed the accused persons would not have been put on their defense ‘because of the weak and contradictory evidence’.Addressing his jubilant supporters outside the Garissa law courts, Nathif said he was happy that the case was over and behind him.“We knew all along that the charges were fabricated, done in bad faith and could not stand the test of time,” Nathif said.“I want to thank my supporters for standing with for the past three years. It was a trying moment for me and my family,” he added.Nathif was charged alongside Rahma Dekow, Jawahir Keinan, Abdi Sahal, Safia Mohamed, Mohamed Hassan and Mohamud Hassan Mohamed who then his tender committee members.