Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has come out to defend Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, against his opposers who have sustained criticism over his remarks on ID vetting for border communities.

Addressing a crowd in Trans Nzoia on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Amisi weighed in on Natembeya’s situation noting that he has a right to his opinions, insisting that it is unfair to publicly criticise the governor.

However, the legislator assured that he would be the only right person to deal with he county chief through the ballot, once the county decides to ouster him (Natembeya).

“Hapa Trans Nzoia, wengi wamekua wakipiga Natembeya vita, nimesema ni mtoto wetu, mturuhusu tumkoso, msimpige vita dunie nzima; mara Kimani Ichung’wah, mara Junet, hapana, tunajua ako na makosa lakini mturuhusu turekebishe , hatuezi acha dunia nzima inaongelea mtu mmoja, si haki. Ata mimi watu wameniambia naeza simama gavana, nimekuja kuchunguza ground inasemaje, nikiskia iko mniachieni huyo jama mimi ndio ntamtoa na mtakua sawa msimsumbue, mimi pekee yangu ntawezana nayeye, namnyorosha mapema anaenda, lakini kwa sasa, let us support all leaders irrespective of whether we agree with them or not,” he said.

Junet on Natembeya

The latest comes amid mounting criticism after Natembeya’s remarks on the abolishment of the vetting requirement for people of Somali origin in the North Eastern region during the acquisition of national Identity Cards.

Minority Party Leader in the National Assembly, Junet Mohamed had dismissed the governor’s remarks stating that he does not qualify to be a leader in Kenya due to the comments.

“I was shocked to see a governor in this country shouting at the top of his voice from Trans-Nzoia, saying some Kenyans should not be given identity cards. A whole governor stands in a place addressing a gathering of Kenyans, and saying that other Kenyans must be discriminated against,” Junet said in parliament on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

“That man does not deserve to lead anybody in Kenya; it is very disheartening, and he does not even deserve to be a village elder for coming openly to say that certain Kenyans should not be given IDs because of bordering certain countries, while his county borders Uganda.”

Natembeya’s stance

Despite the condemnation, Natembeya has maintained that he has nothing personal against the Somali people from Kenya getting their IDs.

“Just like we are saying the Bukusu from Uganda should not be given Kenyan IDs and the Maasai from Tanzania should also be vetted, the same should also apply to the North Eastern counties bordering Somalia,” Natembeya explained.

“I have previously worked as a District Commissioner (DC) in Kamukunji, and the Somalis loved me because I abolished the need for them to walk around with Kenyan IDs because they were being subjected to extortion by police officers,” he added.

He, however, maintained that vetting is important for national security, the governor went on to explain that the border regions have unique challenges that could pose harm to the country.

“My recent call for the reinstatement of robust vetting procedures for national identity issuance in North Eastern Kenya arose solely from concerns over national security. Border regions have unique challenges—ranging from cross-border movement to the threat of illicit networks—that demand prudent safeguards.

“To brand this duty-driven appeal as “discrimination” is a distortion of both fact and intent. Every responsible leader must raise the alarm when processes intended to protect our people are weakened,” he said.