Protests erupt in Kitale following governor Natembeya's arrest -

By Daisy Okiring

Protests flared in Kitale Town on Monday as hundreds of residents took to the streets following the dramatic arrest of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The protests brought transportation and commercial activity to a halt along the bustling Eldoret-Kitale highway, with demonstrators using stones, burning tyres, and tree branches to barricade major roads. The disruption extended well into Kitale’s central business district, where crowds were seen chanting pro-Natembeya slogans and singing patriotic songs in solidarity.

“Natembeya, we love you forever!” echoed across the town as supporters waved placards and voiced their anger over the governor’s detention.

Earlier that morning, EACC agents, supported by police and DCI officers, stormed the governor’s residence in Kitale as part of an investigation into alleged procurement irregularities and fictitious payments totaling Ksh1.4 billion. The probe targets transactions made by the Trans Nzoia County Government during the 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 financial years.

According to the EACC, the operation focused on three multi-million shilling projects:

The modernization of Kenyatta Stadium (Phase 1A)
Construction of the new Trans Nzoia County headquarters
Development of the Tom Mboya Hospital

As word of the raid spread, locals began assembling outside the governor’s compound, chanting the popular “Tawe Movement” slogan—Natembeya’s political trademark. The crowd quickly grew, resulting in a tense standoff with riot police, who struggled to maintain order.

Eyewitnesses reported that demonstrators deflated the tyres of at least five government vehicles belonging to EACC and DCI teams. Reinforcements were called in to prevent further escalation, but by then, transport in and out of Kitale had already been severely disrupted.

In a statement released later that day, the EACC confirmed that they had secured critical documentary evidence linking senior county officials to possible money laundering and the accumulation of unexplained wealth.

“Our investigators are probing a coordinated scheme involving illicit payments, ghost contracts, and asset concealment. We believe this case represents a significant abuse of public trust,” read part of the commission’s update.

Despite the mounting legal pressure, many of Natembeya’s supporters have dismissed the charges as politically motivated. Some accuse the national government of targeting leaders who challenge the status quo.

As Kitale slowly returned to normalcy by late afternoon, questions remained over the future of Governor Natembeya and the broader implications for devolved leadership in Kenya. The EACC has indicated that more arrests could follow.