This archive report was first published on 29 June 2021.
On October 31, 2019, four Garissa county officials, including Garissa Municipal Board Manager Abdi Bulle, Chief of Finance Ibrahim Nur Shurie, Head of Treasury Mohamed Abdullahi, and Head of Accounting Garissa Municipal Board Ahmed Aden, were charged with Sh 233 million graft case.
They have now moved to the High Court seeking to quash the decision by Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji to charge them.
The officials are accused of conspiracy and misappropriation of public funds. They claim that their arrest and prosecution contribute to abuse of power by DPP and EACC.
They further claim that the decision to prosecute them is unreasonable, irrational and clearly for extraneous purpose since the World Bank and state department of housing have never brought any complaints to the notice or attention of Petitioners.
According to the court documents, the Sh 233 million was meant to support municipalities, re-carpeting of Garissa Township CBD roads, construction of Qorahey market, construction of stormwater drainage and pedestrian walkways.
They aver that the criminal justice system is being manipulated and DPP and EACC are using the criminal justice system for ulterior motives and to achieve extraneous purpose.
They are also seeking for damages over claims that their rights were violated.
“The Respondent jointly and severally misapprehended the law or motivated by extra-judicious or ulterior motives in bringing the charges in respect to petitioners’ work as employees of Garissa County Government,” they told the court.
