Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya has slammed the government, accusing it of using the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to suppress Kiambu and Trans Nzoia Governors Kimani Wamatangi and George Natembeya, respectively.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the lawmaker challenged the government to produce enough evidence to prosecute the county bosses.

“I hope the government has done due diligence and has evidence on the table that these are the facts. The governor has dealt with this, has committed this crime,” he said.

“After that has recorded a statement, the governor should see the court of the law. Otherwise, it seems you have brought the saga and left him to go home, indicating that you ain’t sure or lack evidence to prosecute the case.”

According to Gakuya, the arrest of George Natembeya and Kimani Wamatangi is an unnecessary drama meant to silence leaders opposed to the ruling coalition.

“Just do your work first. Do your investigations to the latter so when you call the governor, you are ready for the governor to take fingerprints and take him to court, otherwise, the rest is just a mere drama.”

“As a country, we cannot allow these agencies to be used to intimidate politicians. It is very unfortunate. Wamatangi and Natembeya what is eating them up is their stance against the government, each is negotiating for their people. They want to be in the table,” Gakuya asserted.

The arrest

The EACC arrested Natembeya over the alleged embezzlement of county funds. According to Natembeya’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiri, the governor was presented at the EACC headquarters in Nairobi on Monday, May 19, 2025, for a statement recording.

“They have locked in our client, but we are not able to access him or give him any legal counsel on the process that is currently being undertaken,” Njiru said.

The commission says it is investigating allegations of procurement irregularities, abuse of office and bribery. EACC says the arrests is linked to the fraudulent acquisition of Ksh1.4 billion. 

The alleged irregularities are believed to have occurred in the 2022/2023 to 2024/2025 financial years. EACC further says that the incidents relate to three major county projects, among them the rehabilitation and modernisation of Kenyatta Stadium (Phase 1A), the construction of the county headquarters offices and the construction of Tom Mboya Hospital.

Currently at Milimani Law Court. pic.twitter.com/zDzpZVLPXy

— George Natembeya (@GeorgeNatembeya) May 20, 2025