Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya’s troubles are far from over, as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) turns its focus on his inner circle. Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya addressing the public at a previous event. Why did EACC arrest Natembeya’s allies? In a statement released Tuesday, June 3, the EACC announced it had collaborated with detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to arrest senior public officials from the Trans Nzoia County Government, including Natembeya’s allies
The commission said the officials were arrested for obstructing EACC officers while carrying out a lawful court order. “On May 19, 2025, EACC officers, armed with a court-issued search warrant, conducted a search operation at the residence of Governor George Natembeya in Kitale. The operation was part of an investigation into procurement irregularities, abuse of office, bribery, and the fraudulent acquisition of KES 1.46 billion (2022–2025),” the statement read in part.
The commission also said that during their search at Natembeya’s home, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) and senior county officials incited the public, leading to the obstruction of officers, assault on law enforcement, and vandalism of five government vehicles worth KSh 12.1 million. “Following investigations by the DCI, the following arrests were made: 24 suspects were arrested and charged with various offences at Kitale Law Courts; Bernard Muganda (former MCA, Motosiet Ward) was arrested yesterday, while John Chigi Makhanu (MCA, Sinyerere Ward) and Mr. Frank Kuyala Wabwire (Governor’s Protocol Officer) were apprehended today. The three officials will be arraigned on June 4, 2025, at Kitale Law Courts,” EACC added.
The commission added that it will not tolerate any obstruction of justice or destruction of public property while carrying out its lawful duties. EACC seeks to bar Natembeya from county offices The EACC further intensified its efforts in a corruption case involving Ksh. 1.46 billion in public funds by seeking an extension of court-imposed restrictions. The commission submitted an official request for the court to extend the bail conditions placed on Governor Natembeya, who faces criminal charges related to alleged procurement irregularities, bribery, abuse of office, and fraudulent expenditure during the 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 fiscal years.
EACC Assistant Director Emmanuel Arunga, in an affidavit obtained by TUKO.co.ke, claims that Natembeya violated court orders by moving his official duties from the restricted Trans Nzoia County headquarters to the Kiminini Sub-County offices. However, further investigations revealed that key documents related to the case are not confined to the county headquarters but are also stored in various sub-county offices across the region. As a result, the EACC sought to revise the bail conditions to prevent Natembeya from accessing any county government offices, including both the headquarters and sub-county offices, until the investigation is concluded.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
