CoG condemns arrest of Tana River Governor Godhana

The Council of Governors (CoG) has condemned the arrest of Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana.

Terming the arrest ‘impulsive’ and a violation of his legal rights, the council in a statement to newsrooms said how the governor was arrested is a flagrant disregard to his rights as enshrined in article 29 of the Constitution.

Governors are elected State ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/coast/article/2001504463/tana-river-governor-dhado-mp-hiribae-arrested-over-clan-clashes">officers and Heads of County< Governments who are well-known to the public. We strongly condemn such bullying in no uncertain terms,” read part of the statement signed by   Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi.

Governor Godhana, along with Galole MP Hiribae Said Buya was on Saturday morning arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in connection with inter-clan clashes in Tana River, which have so far resulted in the deaths of 19 people.

But the CoG argued that if the DCI needed to question Governor Godhana, the request should have been made through formal channels rather than resorting to what he described as ‘bullying’ and ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/coast/article/2001504455/tana-river-residents-ordered-to-surrender-arms-as-tension-escalates">disregarding established< procedures.

CoG emphasised that there are existing structures, such as the County Commanders’ offices, which could have been utilised while maintaining the governor's dignity.

Governor Godhana is currently being held at the DCI headquarters.