Garissa Governor Nathif Jama. He has dismissed claims that he will be locked out of the August 8 general election. www.the-star.co.keGarissa Governor Nathif Jama has assured supporters that he will be on the ballot for the governor seat in the August 8 general elections.
Jama says that claims that he will be locked out of the race over alleged graft issues are false.
Addressing supporters after opening a dispensary at Garissa Prison on Monday, Jama rubbished claims that he will be barred by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) from seeking re-election over graft related issues.
The governor said that graft issues facing him have not been concluded, adding that he is innocent until proven guilty.
“I want to assure my supporters that I will be on the ballot Paper on August 8 and claims going round that I will be barred from contesting are mere propaganda by rivals,” he said.
Jama dismissed EACC’s proposal to bar out politicians who have corruption cases from contesting in the August general election.
The Garissa governor said that elected leaders who have cases in court are innocent until proven guilty and that they cannot be barred from seeking leadership unless their cases have been concluded.
“EACC should target people who have been convicted and not those with cases in court,” he added.
Last week EACC said that it might lock out politicians who have corruption related cases from contesting political office in the August election.
The EACC said that several governors, MPs and MCAs who have been named in graft scandals risk being locked out of the August 8 polls.
EACC boss Eliud Wabukala said that the commission is working closely with IEBC on the issue and will announce its stand soon.
The Senate Public Accounts and Investment Committee last week recommended investigation and prosecution of eight governors over alleged misuse of public funds in their respective counties.