CoG condemns arrest of Tana River Governor Godhana, accuses police of 'bullying'

The Council of Governors (CoG) has come out to condemn the arrest of Tana River Governor Dhadho Gaddae Godhana, terming as “impulsive” and an act of “bullying” by police.

Governor Godhana was arrested alongside Galole MP Hiribae Said Buya by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in connection to inter-clan clashes in Tana River which have so far led to the killing of 18 people.

CoG Chair Ahmed Abdullahi, in a statement released on Saturday, raised concerns about the legality of the arrest and the manner in which it was conducted.

He flagged Godhana’s arrest as "a flagrant disregard” of his rights, intimating that elected officials are well-known public figures, hence their handling by law enforcement must be in line with established procedures.

“Governors are elected State officers and Heads of County Governments who are well known to the public. The manner in which the Governor was arrested is a flagrant disregard to the Governor’s rights as enshrined in article 29 of the Constitution and we strongly condemn such bullying in no uncertain terms,” stated Abdullahi, who is also the Wajir Governor.

“Furthermore, If the DCI required the Governor's presence for questioning, this request should have been communicated through formal channels, ensuring adherence to established protocols.”

The CoG boss further highlighted that existing structures, such as County Commanders’ offices, could have been utilized for a more appropriate engagement, thereby preserving the integrity of the Governor’s office and his role in governance.

Governor Godhana is currently being interrogated by police at the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road.

The arrest comes just hours after five politicians from Tana River County were summoned to appear before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Monday for questioning regarding allegations of inciting conflict between two communities in Tana River.