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After straddling the provincial administration like a colossus for close to three decades, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya yesterday resigned to join elective politics.

Outspoken, blunt, bold and controversial, Natembeya, who is eyeing the Trans Nzoia governor seat, becomes the first senior civil servant to resign ahead of next month’s deadline for public officials, who want to join elective politics, to leave office.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with all the 14 County Commissioners in the region, Natembeya said he was heeding the call of the people.

“My time to leave office has come. From today, I am no longer the RC for Rift Valley, this is the last time I am wearing this uniform,” said Natembeya whose name loosely translates to taking a walk in Kiswahili.

And, in an apparent reference to his opponent, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa who has in the past accused him of using his position to dabble in politics, Natembeya said he quit early to concentrate on the race.

“Wale walikuwa wanasema Natembeya atoe uniform, Natembeya ametoa uniform na anakuja; kitaumana…(Those who have been saying I should first remove my uniform (leave office), I have removed them today and I am coming, so be ready for battle,” he said.

Natembeya said he was opening the way for other civil servants with political ambitions. 

“It is not early. But even if you postpone, you’re postponing the inevitable. Again, you cannot have one foot in civil service and another in politics,” he said.

Describing his sojourn in the civil service as a success, the official who rose fast up the ladder—he is 51—said he had played his part and time was time to leave the stage.

Michuki lessons

Tracing his career as a provincial administrator to his first posting as a District Officer (DO) in Kilgoris in 1996, the father of three said he learned important lessons during his stint as a Personal Assistant to late Cabinet minister John Michuki.

“I learnt a lot from him. He was a hardworking man who arrived in the office early and left last, sometimes at 9pm,” he said, adding that he learnt to speak the truth, from the heart, from the former Internal Security minister.

It is these lessons, he said, that enabled him stamp out Mungiki menace and illicit brews in Murang’a following his posting to the area in 2008. 

He also cited his stint as the county commissioner of Isiolo, and Kamukunji in Nairobi as some most challenging because of banditry and terrorism.  Thereafter, he was transferred to Narok before being elevated to Regional Commissioner, Rift Valley.

However, it was during his time as Rift Valley RC that his steely demeanour came to light — earning him friends and foes in equal measure — particularly during eviction of Mau Forest squatters in 2018-2019.

Yesterday, Natembeya cited the evictions as one of his achievements saying the restoration of Mau Forest Complex—Kenya’s biggest water tower—had been a success.

He defended the evictions, saying that contrary to claims by local leaders, the exercise was not targeting any particular community.

However, he said Kerio Valley and Ol Moran in Laikipia remain security hotspots.

“Unless we address the issues surrounding Laikipia Nature Conservancy, we will still have problems,” he said. 

He dismissed his detractors who have described him as a political greenhorn saying he has enough experience to be governor. He pointed out health, roads and unemployment as some of the key areas he is going to focus on.

“If it’s about experience in leadership then I have it. What they have that I don’t is the dirty games of politics, that is the only difference,” he said.

Political party

While Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-Kenya) associated with Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has vowed to support him, Natembeya remained tightlipped yesterday on which political party he is planning to join.

His declaration yesterday elicited varying reactions with his supporters in Trans Nzoia taking to the streets to celebrate his move.

However, Tiaty MP William Kamket, who has had run-ins with law enforcers over alleged incitement in the troubled North Rift, said he will campaign against Natembeya.

“My county borders Trans Nzoia and I tell you; I will do everything in my power to ensure he does not become the governor,” said Kamket. —Additional reporting by Roy Lumbe