Natembeya accuses govt of politicising war against corruption
By Mustafa Juma, March 12, 2026Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has accused the government of weaponising the war against corruption to control political opponents and silence dissenting voices.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on the night of Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Natembeya claimed that the anti-corruption campaign is increasingly being used as a political tool rather than a genuine effort to combat graft.
“When we deal with corruption the way corruption is supposed to be dealt with, there are no sacred cows. We are not short of the law. The law is very clear and strong,” Natembeya said.
However, the governor argued that the current approach to fighting corruption is being manipulated for political purposes.
“It is not politicians who are politicising the war against corruption; it is the government that is using the war against corruption to play politics,” he said.
Threats
Natembeya further claimed that the government maintains files on many political figures and uses them as leverage to silence critics.
According to him, leaders who challenge the administration risk being threatened with corruption allegations.
“The government has managed to contain even people who ordinarily oppose the government. Everybody has a single file,” he claimed.
“If you say things that are not comfortable with the government, they will say, ‘We have this and this on you,’ and you will see people going quiet.”
The outspoken governor maintained that the fight against corruption should be conducted fairly and without political interference.
“The government is using the war on corruption as a weapon and tool to manage politics,” Natembeya said.
He urged authorities to enforce anti-corruption laws impartially, insisting that genuine accountability can only be achieved if investigations and prosecutions are conducted without targeting political opponents.
Natembeya’s arrest
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives in May 2025 arrested Natembeya over alleged embezzlement of Ksh1.4 billion county funds amid criticism from the Opposition.
Natembeya’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, said at the time that 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.
Months later, his security was withdrawn. He later 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.