Kitale – A surprise dawn raid on Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s home erupted into chaos Monday morning, as angry residents clashed with police and deflated government vehicles in protest.
Officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrived at Natembeya’s Milimani home in Kitale under tight security. What followed was a scene of growing fury, as news of the raid spread through the town and crowds quickly gathered.
Some protesters blocked access roads, while others vandalised and deflated the tyres of EACC vehicles, accusing the government of targeting the governor for his outspoken stance against the administration.
“Why are they treating him like a criminal?” shouted a woman in the crowd. “All he’s done is speak for the people. Now they come for him like thieves in the night?”
Police responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd. There were no immediate reports of injuries, but tensions remained high throughout the day.
A Raid with Few Answers
Authorities have not released official details about the nature of the investigation. EACC officials declined to comment publicly. Sources familiar with the matter told media the search was linked to an ongoing corruption probe, though no arrest had been made by Monday evening.
Natembeya, a former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, has recently emerged as a fierce critic of President William Ruto’s government. His political movement under the “TAWE” slogan a Swahili word meaning “enough” has gained traction, especially among young and disaffected voters in the western counties.
The Democratic Action Party (DAP), under which Natembeya was elected, condemned the raid in a strongly worded post on social media.
“This is nothing short of political persecution,” the party wrote. “Weaponizing state institutions to punish dissenting voices will not stand. The people will resist.”
Gachagua’s Shadow
The raid came barely 24 hours after another political heavyweight, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, reportedly went into hiding following a tip-off about a pending arrest. Gachagua is under investigation for alleged incitement after remarks that critics say could stoke political unrest.
Speaking last week, Gachagua warned that if the electoral commission “tries to rig the 2027 election, there will be no country left,” adding that it would make the 2007 post-election violence “look like a Christmas party.”
The statement has drawn sharp rebukes from across the political divide. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, addressing a church gathering in Nandi County on Sunday, vowed firm action against anyone fuelling tribal or political tensions.
“We will put you in jail and there’s nothing you’ll do about it,” said Murkomen. “Kenya must have peace. We will not let anyone burn it down again.”
Murkomen described Gachagua’s remarks as “reckless and dangerous,” warning politicians against reviving “the ghosts of 2007.”
Growing Political Tensions
The events of the past two days point to a widening rift in Kenya’s political landscape, with opposition leaders claiming a crackdown is underway to silence dissent.
While the government insists it is merely enforcing the law, critics see the moves as part of a broader campaign to intimidate those who challenge state power.
“This is the beginning of a dangerous slide,” said one civil society leader who asked not to be named. “If we’re not careful, we’ll repeat our worst history.”
As of Monday night, Natembeya had not been arrested, and no formal charges had been filed. But with both supporters and critics now digging in, the drama in Kitale may be only the start of a much larger political storm.
