Lugari Member of Parliament (MP) Nabii Nabwera has stated that Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya has gained popularity following his arrest by government agencies.

Speaking at a local station on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the MP stated that the Luhya community supports rebellious people, not conformists.

“Luhyas like rebellious people; they don’t go with conformists. Look at Martin Shikuku, Kijana Wamalwa, and Masinde Muliro. If anyone thinks that you can curtail Natembeya with that show-off, you have handed him to the public,” he stated.

Nabwera stated that if the government summoned the governor, he would avail himself, as he understands government procedures, having worked as a District Officer (DO) before.

“A person who has worked as a DC or DO remains one. If you had just summoned Natembeya, he would have appeared because he understands that the government has certain muscle,” Nabwera said.

Similarly, he has condemned the governor’s arrest, saying he is being targeted for his open criticism of the Kenya Kwanza government.

He also attributed Natembeya’s emergence as an alternative political voice in the Western region to the challenges he is currently facing.

“Before this, there were three things that happened in the environment of Governor Natembeya: the first one was he had come out as ‘an alternative’ political voice in my region (Western); secondly, he has openly criticised the Kenya Kwanza government in terms of what he thinks are overbearing and failing to fulfill promises; and, thirdly, he has opposed the current Luhya leadership,” he stated.

Charges

 Natembeya, who was arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives on May 19, 2025, has been charged with two counts of conflict of interest and one count of unlawful acquisition of public property.

Appearing before the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court on May 20, 2025, in Nairobi, he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to the charge sheet, Natembeya is accused of indirectly benefiting financially from companies that conducted business with the county government between January 2023 and April 2025.

In one count, he is alleged to have received Ksh1.1 million from Mercy Chelangat, director of Lyma Agro Science Limited and proprietor of Maria Stores, both of which reportedly secured contracts with the county.

In another count, the governor is accused of receiving Ksh2.1 million from Emmanuel Wafula Masungo, the beneficial owner of Easterly Winds Limited, which also did business with the county.

Additionally, the EACC claims that Natembeya unlawfully acquired Ksh3.25 million in public funds, allegedly part of payments made by the county to Chelangat’s firm.

“George Natembeya, between January 1, 2023, and April 30, 2025, within the Republic of Kenya, being an agent of a public body, to wit, the Governor of the County Government of Trans Nzoia, you knowingly acquired an indirect pecuniary interest in the sum of Ksh2,124,668 from Emmanuel Wafula Masungo, the beneficial owner of Easterly Winds Limited, which traded with the County Government of Trans Nzoia.”

He was freed on a bond of Ksh1 million with an alternative bail of Ksh500,000 following charges of corruption.

However, Nairobi Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki barred the governor from accessing his office for 60 days.