Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives yesterday arrested Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya over alleged embezzlement of Sh1.4 billion county funds amid criticism from the Opposition.

Natembeya’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiri, said the governor was arrested in Kitale and brought to EACC headquarters, where he was grilled and his statement recorded.

The commission said it was investigating allegations of procurement irregularities, abuse of office, bribery, and fraudulent acquisition of public funds.

The alleged irregularities and fraudulent payments span the 2022/2023 to 2024/2025 Financial Years relating to three major county projects, including the rehabilitation and modernisation of Kenyatta Stadium (Phase 1A), the construction of the Trans Nzoia County headquarters offices, and the construction of Tom Mboya Hospital.

Received kickbacks

As part of the ongoing investigations, the commission obtained court orders and conducted a search targeting the offices and residences of various persons of interest, including Natembeya.

The top DAP-K leader who has been a thorn in the flesh of the Kenya Kwanza administration is alleged to have influenced the award of tenders and received kickbacks from contractors through proxies.

However, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday claimed that the plot to apprehend the governor had been fabricated to tarnish his name.

“They have obtained a search warrant to go and search his house. They just want to apprehend him and release him so that they may embarrass him before the people of Trans Nzoia,” he said.

Natembeya has been vocal on various national issues and political developments.

The governor criticised the Ruto-Raila political alliance, claiming it would bear no fruit, just like Raila’s alliances with Moi, Kibaki and Kenyatta.   

He criticised President William Ruto for abdicating his responsibilities by constantly moving around the country rather than working.

“We want the President to be serious. Kenya is a respected nation globally, and its leader must show commitment to governance. He should spend more time in his office, ensuring that the promises made to Kenyans are being delivered, rather than hopping from one city to another every other day,” he said.

He also criticised the government’s plan to remove vetting of ID card applicants, especially in the North-Eastern region.

“Mr President, I want to tell you that vetting applicants for IDs was a wise decision. Scrapping it will open our borders to terrorists,” he said in an earlier address.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka yesterday warned that the country is slowly descending into a scenario where critics are silenced through unlawful arrests and intimidation.

Gloomy period

“We cannot accept to return to a gloomy period when State authority is employed to suppress dissenting views rather than serve public interest.”

Governor Natembeya is not the only one who has been arrested by the commission in the recent past. 

On April 15 this year, EACC also arrested senior Kiambu County officials, including Governor Kimani Wamatangi, over alleged fraudulent deals worth Sh1.5 billion.

 EACC had been investigating alleged procurement malpractices, conflict of interest and abuse of office.

In February this year, EACC arrested Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok for allegedly embezzling Sh373 million.

By the time of going to press the governor had not been released.