Natembeya upgrades his security, secures 6 heavily built, hawk-eyed men
By Emanuel Tarus, December 13, 2025Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya is now protected by six private security guards, weeks after the state withdrew all his government security officers.
The six tall, heavily built and hawk-eyed men are now fully in charge of Natembeya’s security in public gatherings.
The guards, who are well-equipped with some communication gadgets and black goggles for camouflage, were seen with Natembeya at Gituamba Primary School grounds during the commemoration of the 62nd edition of Jamhuri Day.
The officers who are said to have advanced training in VIP protection took strategic positions at the dais during the event that was attended by hundreds of Trans Nzoia residents.
When Natembeya was addressing the congregation, one officer was standing behind him, two were on his right side, two on his left side and one of them was seated behind Natembeya’s seat.
Speaking during the national celebration, the former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner said he does not have anything to celebrate because the government has denied him freedom by withdrawing his security detail.
The tough-talking county boss said he feels like a prisoner in his own country and vowed that he will not succumb to threats and intimidation.
“There is nothing for me to celebrate because even my own freedom has been curtailed. I’m walking freely, but I am a prisoner because they took away my security and driver after I told the government the truth, so which freedom am I celebrating here?” the self-declared opposition leader said.
Without mincing his words, Natembeya branded the state actors as cowards determined to harass him and other leaders with divergent opinions.
“Our day will come. I want to assure Kenyans that one day when we are all gone, you will remember there was a man called Natembeya. The cowards who are harassing us now, history will not remember you for anything good,” he added.
A section of residents of Trans Nzoia, led by Natembeya’s gender advisor, Justina Sitti, have been urging the state to reinstate all the bodyguards of Natembeya.
High court order
On December 4, 2025, a High Court in Nairobi ordered immediate reinstatement of Natembeya’s security as well as the bodyguards of Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale.
The state is yet to comply with that order.
Natembeya’s and Khalwale’s security guards were withdrawn on 26 November 2025, just hours before the hotly contested Malava Constituency by-election that was won by David Ndakwa of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).