EACC clears Joho of graft allegations on Mwembe Tayari market

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho is a relieved man after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission cleared him of accusations that he was involved in the corrupt allocation of Mwembe Tayari market.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko said in a statement yesterday that he had received Mr Joho’s file from EACC who recommended that it be closed for lack of evidence.

The county chief was mentioned in a report prepared by the commission in connection with the allocation of the market.

The anti-graft agency also cleared businessmen Mohamed Abdullah Zubedi and Abdulhakim Abdullah Zubedi over claims they irregularly allocated the market to Nawal Business Centre.

When he appeared for questioning by the EACC in April, Joho defended himself against the accusations, saying he was not involved in the allocation.

At the time, the governor explained that the market belonged to the county government.

Joho clarified that the only controversial allocation happened 20 years ago, long before he took office, when the first floor of the market was allocated to a private developer.

He said he had given EACC all the relevant documents. He then threatened to sue the anti-corruption agency for what he said were defamatory allegations and for allegedly dragging him into a matter he was not aware of.

Joho said records show that the process of allocating the market land started with a letter dated August 12, 1996, and addressed to the then Municipal Council of Mombasa.

“The request in which the writer of the letter sought to be allocated the land in issue was given approval, and the council allowed to proceed with the allocation through approval given by the then Minister for Local Government William ole Ntimama, on August 20, 1996,” he said.

 Malicious charge

Yesterday evening, the county boss welcomed his clearance, saying he felt vindicated and his innocence in the matter has been proven. He said the EACC verdict had demonstrated that he had no role in the allocation of the market.

 “I am elated and indeed welcome the announcement by EACC clearing me of any wrong doing in the allocation of the Mwembe Tayari Market to the Nawal Business Centre,” he said in a statement.

He commended the EACC for what he described as diligence and impartiality in conducting its investigations.

The governor added: “I have all along maintained my innocence of this malicious charge that was designed to assail and impugn my stewardship over the resources belonging to the people of Mombasa”

The governor promised to comment further on the matter after examining the EACC decision in detail.

The private developer was to build a car park on the allocated area but the project stalled after the market partly burned down.