The Chairman of the Council of Governors (CoG) Josphat Nanok was on Monday blasted by netizens after spreading misleading news on the arrest of Governor Sospeter Odeke Ojaamong.
In a joint statement issued by the CoG, Nanok alleged that government operations in Busia County have come to a standstill following Ojamoong's arrest.
"The arrest of Governor Ojaamong means that the County is shut down and there is no business going on," Nanok had indicated protesting the arrest.
[caption caption="Busia Governor Sospeter Odeke Ojaamong in court"]
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Claiming witchhunt and mischief in the arrest, the Turkana County chief lamented that other senior government officials implicated in mega scandals including at NYS and NCPB are yet to face arrest.
However, Kenyans across social media told off Nanok over the misleading claim of vacuum in Busia County given that the constitution mandates the Deputy Governor to take over reigns of leadership in the absence of a governor.
Falsification of facts. The county has a deputy governor an executive and a county assembly to function normal. Let's assume he's dead in the meantime
— ThatQuestionMark (@ArapWalta) July 9, 2018
Where is the deputy governor in all of this.
— Jishowcase (@GachinQlion) July 9, 2018
Of course, the business of corruption...hapo Sawa.
— Ben Osama (@DrOsamaBW) July 9, 2018
— Onesmus (@OnesmusMoh) July 9, 2018
— Jasiri (@Jasiri_TEA) July 9, 2018
— Annitah Lesley (@AnnitahLesley) July 9, 2018
What the hell are you talking about?kwani yeye ni nani in this county ?tweet things that making sense forks
— EngineerNgetich (@HenryNgetich12) July 9, 2018
Kwani Ojamoong is Busia and abusia is Ojamoong
— wyclife wathome (@WyclifeW) July 9, 2018
No that's not true, lying to Kenyans, there is DG and that's the role they are supposed to play, corruption can nolonger be supported, kila mtu abebe mzigo yake
— James Opea (@JamesOpere1) July 9, 2018
The office isn't under arrest. The institutions are still free to operate without him as an individual
— Ngugi Wa Wamuyu (@NgugyEvans) July 9, 2018
whats the role of deputy governors?
— maina dennis (@dennismaina111) July 9, 2018
@KenyaGovernors, we understand that @PoliceKE pursuant to an order from @ODPP_KE ,arrested @GovOjaamong as an individual and not as the institution he leads. The rule of law should be upheld at whatever cost, no one should be above the law. #lifestyleaudit A Must.
— Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) (@MUHURIkenya) July 9, 2018
Flanked by a host of fellow Governors, Nanok indicated that CoG stands with Ojaamong and accused the National Government of trying to "divert attention from their rot by arresting governors".
"As it stands, the case of Busia County is indicative that devolution is under threat. Currently, there is no business being transacted in the County Government of Busia since its chief executive has been arrested and charged in court
However, in a statement likely alluding the preemptive strategy by the CoG in calling the presser, Nanok noted "We are aware that there are Counties who will find themselves in similar situations and they are about to experience the same shut down."
The CoG further stated that although there have been efforts in dealing with NYS scandal, several other mega corruption cases remain unresolved.
"Questions continue to linger on procurement in Managed Equipment Service (MES), the mobile containers, Eurobond, the Sugar Scandal, the Health Scandal and the Maize Scandal- where the heads of those institutions have never been charged and arrested yet billions of public money has been lost," Nanok indicated.
Governor Ojaamong was arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officials and arraigned in court on Wednesday.
He later remained in custody for two days until his release on bail on Friday pending hearing and determination of cases of alleged corruption in the county.
