Teargas, vandalism, and raging fires rent Kitale town today following the arrest of Governor George Natembeya over an alleged embezzlement of Sh1.4 billion by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives.
This ignited widespread riots among the local residents.
The Trans Nzoia County boss was presented to record a statement at the EACC’s Integrity Centre-Nairobi.
His lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, confirmed the incident on his social media platforms and stated that he will remain in custody until further notice.
“Our legal team has been barred from accessing our client by the EACC officers,” he said.
In a statement released Monday by the anti-graft body, they stated that they are investigating allegations of procurement irregularities, abuse of office and bribery.
EACC says the arrests are: “linked to the fraudulent acquisition of Ksh.1.4 billion. The alleged irregularities are believed to have occurred in the financial years 2022/23 to 2025.
EACC says that the incidents relate to three major county projects: the Phase 1A Rehabilitation and Modernisation of Kenyatta Stadium; the construction of the county headquarters offices and Tom Mboya Hospital.
The Twalib Mbarak-led Commission further alleged that the Governor influenced the awarding of tenders and received hefty kickbacks from contractors through proxies.
It has therefore conducted a search operation, targeting offices and residences of various persons of interest, including Natembeya.
Consequently, EACC officers raided Natembeya’s Milimani home in Kitale, sparking widespread protests by residents.
Irate rioters thronged outside Natembeya’s home demanding his release.
They vandalised five vehicles believed to belong to the commission.
“The angry mob pelted them with stones and deflated their tyres. More reinforcement of the police had to be deployed.”
Other persons of interest mentioned by the anti-graft czars include: Emanuel Masungo (Chief Officer of Finance), Dorothy Nyukuri (Chief Officer for Water), Eliyah Liambula ( Director of Procurement), and Desmond Shivachi, a local contractor-cum- “governor’s proxy.”
In a stinging statement, Eugene Wamalwa-led Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) slammed the government for using security agencies to settle political scores.
“A heavy contingent of police officers in plain clothes, well masked, gained access to Governor George Natembeya’s Milimani home in Kitale. Such Moi-era tactics won’t work in the current life. Stop using security apparatus to settle political scores,” the statement reads.
On May 12, police officers dispersed protesters who were marching towards Nzoia Sugar Company with teargas canisters.
They had accompanied Governor Natembeya to the factory to seek the truth on the leasing terms.
“We must get to the bottom of this for the sake of our people,” Natembeya wrote on his official X account.
He reiterated that the sugar mill is a vital economic pillar for the Western Kenya region.
According to Natembeya, it supports over 45,000 farmers, thus providing livelihoods for millions directly and indirectly.
“I perceive the privatisation or leasing of this institution as a menace to the region’s economy, particularly given its pivotal role in supporting sugarcane farmers and local communities.”
