Misuse of county resources claims dominate Garissa politics

The Garissa County government secretary has come under sharp criticism over claims that the devolved unit’s resources are being misused in campaigns.

Speaking after being cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to contest the governorship, Ali Bunow Korane warned Mohamud Mursal that he would be held personally responsible for the misuse of county resources.

Mr Korane alleged that he had information some county officials were trying to change ownership of county vehicles so that they could own them.

“We would like to tell the county secretary that he will be personally held responsible for abuse of office should they not stop using county government resources for their own self,” said Mr Korane.

He was in the company of National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale.

Mr Korane (Jubilee) is fighting to unseat incumbent Nathif Jama (Wiper), who was also given the green light to run by the IEBC on Thursday.

Mr Jama has equally promised a tough battle to defend his seat.

Mr Korane at the same time, also, warned county staff against engaging in politics saying that they are civil servants who should be apolitical.

He said that if elected, he will offer crucial services such as water which he said the incumbent has failed to deliver for the last four years.

“The county Government received about Sh30 billion but we have nothing to show, no projects that are complete, they don’t even have an office while contractors and services providers claim billions in debt,” he said.

Contacted for comment about claims of staffs and vehicles being involved in the campaigns, the county secretary was unreachable as he did not return calls and neither did he respond to text messages by the time of posting this article.