Wajir governor back in office, says he is ready to work for residents

Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi, who was on Wednesday reinstated by the court of appeal, now says he is ready to work for the people for the remaining term and ensure that services go on uninterrupted.

Addressing his jubilant supporters in Wajir town minutes after resuming office, Abdi who was impeached in may last year by the county assembly and the same upheld by the senate, said whatever happened is now water under the bridge.

On Wednesday the Court of Appeal rejected a request by Wajir deputy Governor Ahmed Ali Muktar to remain in the office of the governor after the High Court quashed the impeachment of his boss Governor Mohamed Abdi.

A three (3) Bench Judge at the Meru High Court had on February 16, reinstated Abdi as the Governor of Wajir county after nine months of a court battle.

But Muktar quickly moved to the court of appeal to challenge the ruling.

Abdi, who was received at the Wajir airport by senior county staff led by the county secretary Abdullahi Maalim, thanked the courts for the ruling describing it as one that was long overdue.

“I want to thank the judiciary for speedily concluding the case despite numerous challenges and more importantly in setting an important threshold for the removal of a Governor from office; which is a major win for not only the people of Wajir and a milestone victory for all the current and future Kenya Governors who might face similar political antagonism,” said Abdi.

He added: “I also would wish to convey my gratitude to my legal team, led by Professor Tom Ojienda, Peter Wanyama, Martin Ole Kamaro and Njiru Ndegwa, as well as the Council of Governors for their support and encouragement,”.

“My heartfelt appreciation goes to the people of Wajir, my family and friends for their unwavering support during these trying times,”

Abdi also thanked the Deputy Governor, Mukhtar ‘for honourably accepting the ruling of the court and handing over the office smoothly'.

“I would like to extend a warm hand to the Deputy Governor, and invite him to work with me as we have been doing since 2017.”

Since 2017, Wajir has been making headlines for different reasons.

It has been marred by corruption cases, raids from the anti-corruption commission sleuths as well as impeachment and court cases.