DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa has on Monday, May 19, 2025, strongly condemned the police raid at Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s residence in Milimani, Kitale.

A contingent of police officers stormed the governor’s home without explanation, sparking widespread concern and protest from opposition leaders.

In his statement posted on X, Wamalwa has denounced the silence surrounding the raid, calling it a targeted onslaught on opposition figures.

He has criticised the selective application of state force, urging the government to apply the same standards to officials who have made inflammatory remarks worse than those of opposition politicians that are now being followed

He specifically cited Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, accusing him of making dangerous statements that could incite violence, including rhetoric reminiscent of the “41 against 1” narrative that fuelled the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

“As Police Subarus go hunting @rigathi, @GeorgeNatembeya and Opposition leaders, let them also go for @HonAdenDuale for his dangerous talk of 41 vs 1, ASAL vs Non-ASAL, local vs imported voters that could lead to 2007/8 mayhem in Kenya,” Eugene Wamalwa said.

As Police Subarus go hunting @rigathi, @GeorgeNatembeya and Opposition leaders,let them also go for @HonAdenDuale for his dangerous talk of 41vs1,ASAL vs Non ASAL,local vs imported voters that could lead to 2007/8 mayhem in Kenya.@DCI_Kenya @EACCKenya @NCIC_Kenya @NPSOfficial_KE pic.twitter.com/YLaHtHuugB

— Eugene L. Wamalwa (@EugeneLWamalwa) May 19, 2025

At the moment, officers are still camping outside Governor Natembeya’s residence.

Rowdy supporters have gathered to block any police attempt to arrest the governor, with some deflating the tyres of police vehicles in protest.

The police have yet to release a statement or provide reasons for the attempted raid.

Eugene Wamalwa is the only opposition leader who has since arrived at the residence in solidarity with Natembeya.

The incident comes at a time when opposition leaders appear to be under increasing pressure from the government.

The raid on Natembeya’s home follows similar claims made by Gachagua’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, who stated on Sunday evening, May 18, 2025, that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s homes in Karen and Wamunyoro were also being surrounded by police with intentions to arrest him.

These claims were echoed by DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, with Gachagua himself remaining silent on the issue.

To all media houses kindly be informed that the DCI has taken hostage of all HE Rigathi Gachagua’s both at Karen and at Wamunyoro. They are currently man hunting him. We are yet to be informed of the reason.@citizentvkenya @KTNNewsKE @MutembeiTV @K24Tv @KamemeTvKenya @tv47news

— Ndegwa Njiru Adv. (@NjiruAdv) May 18, 2025

Natembeya’s political woes

Governor Natembeya has been a vocal critic of the current administration; he has consistently used public platforms to challenge government policies.

He vehemently opposed the scrapping of security vetting for border communities, particularly in the North Eastern region, arguing that such a move would fuel terrorism. His remarks, made in the presence of the president during the former IEBC chair’s funeral, did not sit well with authorities, especially leaders from the North Eastern region who are aligned with the government.

His recent appearance to align with the former Deputy President Gachagua has further intensified tensions between him and the state.