Nairobi– George Natembeya, the Governor of Trans Nzoia County and one of Kenya’s more outspoken regional leaders, is expected in court today after spending the night in police custody. He was detained on Sunday following a day of questioning by the country’s anti-corruption watchdog.
Officials from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) say the governor is under investigation for alleged procurement fraud, abuse of office, bribery, and the embezzlement of public funds. The total amount involved, according to the commission, is staggering: 1.4 billion Kenyan shillings.
The claims relate to three high-profile county projects upgrades to Kenyatta Stadium, construction of a new county headquarters, and the building of Tom Mboya Hospital.
Abdi Mohamud, Chief Executive Officer of the EACC, said the probe covers the period between the 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 financial years. He told reporters that investigators are focusing on “suspected irregularities in tendering processes and alleged kickbacks paid through intermediaries.”
Natembeya, who previously served as Rift Valley Regional Commissioner before entering politics, has not responded publicly to the allegations. His office declined to comment when contacted.
Behind the Arrest
The arrest came as something of a surprise. While whispers of mismanagement in county governments are common, few governors have faced such swift and high-profile scrutiny. Sources within the EACC say the operation was triggered by whistleblower reports and an internal audit that flagged questionable payments and tender awards.
Officials claim that tenders for the three projects were steered toward favoured contractors, some of whom allegedly paid backhanders through proxies linked to the governor’s inner circle.
“This isn’t just about paperwork errors or bad accounting,” one senior EACC officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This is about systematic abuse of public trust.”
Political Ripples
The case is likely to send shockwaves through the political establishment, especially as Kenya ramps up its anti-corruption drive. While President William Ruto has publicly backed clean governance, critics say enforcement has often been inconsistent.
Civil society groups welcomed the EACC’s move, but warned against selective justice.
“We hope this isn’t a one-off,” said Nduta Kamau, a governance analyst with the Kenya Human Rights Commission. “If the government is serious about fighting graft, then we need to see the same energy applied across the board regardless of political ties.”
Natembeya has previously positioned himself as a reformist and has often clashed with other political heavyweights. Some supporters claim the charges are politically motivated, though the EACC insists its investigation is based on evidence not pressure.
“We follow facts, not factions,” Mahomud said.
What Happens Next?
Natembeya will be formally charged in court, where prosecutors are expected to outline the specific offences under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act. If convicted, he could face steep fines, jail time, and disqualification from holding public office.
Legal experts say the case will be closely watched, both for its political implications and for what it reveals about transparency in county governments.
“Counties control billions in public funds, but oversight is weak,” said Dr. Martin Ochieng, a public finance specialist at the University of Nairobi. “Cases like this show what happens when no one is looking.”
For now, the governor remains in custody. His fate and perhaps that of broader anti-graft efforts in Kenya will begin to unfold in the courtroom.
