Natembeya accuses govt of targeting him for speaking the truth
By Kenneth Mwenda, December 13, 2025Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has accused the national government of deliberately defying court orders by refusing to reinstate his security detail.
Speaking in Saboti Constituency, on Friday, December 12, 2025, Natembeya said the withdrawal of his guards at the end of November was meant to intimidate and silence him. He insisted that the action would not stop him from speaking out against what he described as bad governance
“Mimi natembea lakini mimi ni mfungwa tu. Ata askari walichukuliwa, dereva alichukuliwa ati kwa sababu niliambia serikali ukweli,” he said.
The governor expressed disappointment at the government’s refusal to comply with the High Court ruling of December 4, 2025, which ordered the reinstatement of his security, along with that of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale. Despite the court order, the state has yet to restore their security details.
Speaking during the 62nd Jamhuri Day celebrations at Gituamba Primary School grounds, Natembeya said he had nothing to celebrate on the national holiday.
“What freedom am I celebrating? Wacha niendelee kusononeka, siku yangu itakuja tu,” he said.
He described the withdrawal of his security as intimidation linked to his outspoken political stance.
“They took every security detail—my guards, my driver, even the vehicle. It is okay, but let’s be honest, this is intimidation,” Natembeya said earlier last month. He also claimed attempts to block him from travelling to Malava and other areas where he had planned public engagements, describing these as part of a wider scheme to restrict his movements.
Natembeya blasts government cowards
The governor branded those he called his oppressors as cowards.
“Those cowards who are harassing us now, history will not remember you for anything good. You will finish your term, go home, and everybody will forget you because of prioritising your comfort at the expense of your people!” he said.
Natembeya also reiterated his criticism of other governors for failing to confront President Ruto during the 12th National Government and County Governments Coordinating Summit at State House in December 2025.
“There was a meeting of governors with the president. When they left the meeting, they started discussing in the WhatsApp group what they should have discussed with the president because none of them could stand and say the truth,” he said.
He continued to defend the rights of the Ikolomani residents, warning against forced evictions after the discovery of gold in the area. Natembeya claimed that some Kenyans are posing as foreigners to harvest the gold, putting local residents at a disadvantage.
Weeks after the state withdrew his security, Natembeya hired six heavily built, hawk-eyed private guards to protect him during public events. The officers, equipped with communication gadgets and black goggles, took strategic positions at the Jamhuri Day event.