Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has broken his silence following Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s visit to his office, a meeting that had sparked speculation that he had shifted his political allegiance.

Speaking after his appearance before the Senate on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Natembeya explained that the visit followed established government protocol.

He noted that whenever a senior government official from the national government, including the president or a cabinet secretary, visits a county, they are first received by the county commissioner, who then introduces them to the governor for the signing of the visitors’ book.

He emphasised that this was exactly what happened during Murkomen’s visit to Trans Nzoia.

“I understand protocol; written protocol, that is. It is that whenever a senior government official from the national government, be it the president or a Cabinet Secretary, ambaye anataka kumwona governor, lazima apitie kwa County Commissioner appreciate a briefing.”

“Nimekuwa county commissioner, so mimi mwenyewe najua. The county commissioner, anamleta kwa the governor to come and sign a visitors’ book, and that is what happened yesterday during Murkomen’s visit to Trans-Nzoia; Murkomen came to sign my visitors’ book,” Natembeya stated.

Natembeya dismissed suggestions that the meeting signalled any political realignment, saying there was no reason for him to avoid the visit. He clarified that Murkomen signed the visitors’ book as required, continued with his engagements, and afterwards, Natembeya himself travelled to Nairobi for official duties.

“Lazima angeletwa pale na nani; sasa ati nitoroke kwa sababu Murkomen anakuja Trans-Nzoia; nitoroke kwa nini? Alikuja nikamsalimia, yeye akaenda kwa shughuli yake, mimi nikapanda Ndenge nikakuja Nairobi,” he added.

Political stance

The governor reaffirmed that his political stance remains unchanged, maintaining that he is firmly in the opposition and continues to believe that the country is not on the right track. He stressed that the visit by Murkomen to his office should not be interpreted as a shift in his position or an alignment with the current administration.

“Msimamo wetu ni ule ule ya kwamba sisi tuko upinzani, na tunaamini kwamba nchi hailekei pazuri, haiwezi basilica ati kwa sababu Murkomen alikuja kunitembelea,” he added.