Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana Avoids Official County Office for Eight Years Over Witchcraft Fears

According to multiple reports, the Trade Building—which houses the governor's office and several key county departments—remains largely abandoned, featuring empty corridors, locked rooms, a partially open gate, and a deserted parking lot. Residents and insiders claim that immediately after his election, local elders and advisors warned him against using the premises, alleging that his predecessor, Hussein Dado, had left behind harmful charms or spiritual dangers intended to harm successors.

The governor is said to have heeded these warnings, opting instead to conduct county business from his private residence in Makutano, located about eight kilometers from Hola. Sources close to the administration, including anonymous county employees, have confirmed that Godhana has avoided the Hola office entirely throughout his tenure, with elders such as Akare Dida publicly stating they advised him against sitting in the predecessor's chair to preserve his life and well-being. This unusual arrangement has fueled widespread whispers and social media discussions in Tana River County, where such beliefs in supernatural protections or curses remain influential in political and cultural contexts

The situation has sparked controversy and drawn attention to broader issues of governance, faith, and superstition in the region, with political opponents sometimes leveraging witchcraft allegations to question leadership credibility. While the claims remain unverified and stem from local traditions rather than concrete evidence, the empty county offices stand as a visible symbol of the governor's prolonged absence from the official workspace. As discussions continue, the episode highlights the intersection of politics and cultural beliefs in parts of Kenya's Coast region.