This archive report was first published on 21 September 2021.
Published on September 21, 2021, a High Court judge issued an interim order barring the Controller of Budget (CoB) from releasing Sh2 billion to Wajir County.
The order was made by Justice Anthony Mrima, who cited the ongoing leadership dispute between Governor Ahmed Ali Muktar and ousted Governor Mohamed Abdi Mohamud.
According to court documents, Mohamud was allegedly reinstated by the courts after his impeachment by the county assembly over gross violation of the Constitution.
However, Muktar was sworn in as governor in May, following Senate approval of the impeachment proceedings.
Speaking on the matter, ousted Governor Mohamud stated, "The import of that order is that the entire finding and resolution process at the Senate removing me was rendered ineffective, inapplicable and non-operational, as such anything done pursuant to the resolution of Senate including the swearing of Wajir and any function thereafter in null and void and a contempt of court."
Justice Mrima explained that the interim orders were meant to balance the interests of the county government, declining to stop the execution of the budgetary estimates for development projects as urged by the petitioners.
