Governor Ali, Yattani released after grilling over Sh8bn graft claims in Marsabit

The anti-graft agency said valuable evidence was gathered during the raid and will aid in the ongoing investigations over alleged graft.

Marsabit Governor Ali Mohamud and his predecessor Ukur Yattani have been released after hours of grilling by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over an alleged loss of Sh8 billion between 2014 and 2024.

The pair were arrested alongside several other county officials following Wednesday morning raids of their properties in Marsabit and Nairobi with Yattani recording statements at Integrity Centre Police Station in Nairobi and Governor Ali at EACC Upper Eastern offices in Isiolo town.

Ali was arrested alongside four other suspects including County Finance Executive Malicha Wario Boru who is a director at two companies; Lelia Enterprises and Ardha Jilla Enterprises Limited suspected to have been used in fraudulent schemes in the county government.

Also in the pack was Godana Halakhe Sora, the Principal Administrator at the Governor's office, who is the Director of Qoorti General Contractors and Umuro Gufu Sharamo, a Director at Marsabit Investment Limited as well as one Huka Wako Bidhu

Wako is a Director at Ororo Company and Burga Ventures.

Accompanying the former Treasury CS were Governor Ali's two wives Alamitu Guyo and Rukia Abdikadir as well as County Procurement Officer Zaitun Ali Nuro who also doubles as a Director at Partone Investments Limited and Latu Waye Enterprises.

Imperial Link Enterprises Limited Director Alex Ali Kunni and Al Habib Enterprises counterpart Ibrae Doko Yatani also recorded statements at the Integrity Centre.

The anti-graft agency said valuable evidence was gathered during the raid and will aid in the ongoing investigations over alleged graft, conflict of interest and abuse of office.

"All the suspects have been granted conditional release to report back to EACC offices in a week to facilitate the ongoing investigations," EACC Spokesperson Eric Gumbi said.

Meanwhile, Governor Ali has hit out at EACC over what he termed as a dramatic arrest and subsequent presentation at the EACC offices.

"The dramatic manner in which I was brought here (in Isiolo) was not necessary at all. I came here to confirm if the documents in their possession are the ones they collected from my home, which is something I would have done while in Marsabit," he said after the release.

The county boss said he had nothing to hide and will continue cooperating with the detectives in the ongoing investigations.

"I am a public figure and cannot run away from government summonses. I will always comply," he said, while accusing the EACC of harassing his family.