NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s anti-corruption watchdog has opened a formal investigation into alleged fraud and abuse of office in Trans Nzoia County, with Governor George Natembeya named among those under scrutiny.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said on Monday it is probing suspected irregularities in procurement processes and payments involving more than Sh1.4 billion in public funds.
At the heart of the inquiry are three major projects: the rehabilitation of Kenyatta Stadium (Phase 1A), the construction of new county headquarters, and the ongoing development of Tom Mboya Hospital.
“These investigations are focused on possible irregular procurement, abuse of office, bribery, and fraudulent acquisition of public funds,” the Commission said in a statement. The projects span three financial years — from 2022/2023 to 2024/2025.
Acting on court-issued warrants, EACC officers conducted search operations across several locations on Monday. These included county offices and the private residences of individuals described as “persons of interest,” among them Governor Natembeya.
Though the commission did not confirm any arrests, sources familiar with the investigation told media that the searches aimed to secure evidence tied to the suspected irregular awarding of contracts and illicit payments.
Governor Natembeya has not publicly responded to the allegations. However, his administration has in the past defended its development record, often pointing to the same projects now under scrutiny as evidence of progress.
EACC investigators believe the governor may have had a hand in directing tenders to favoured firms and is suspected of receiving kickbacks through intermediaries. These claims, while unproven, have raised questions about transparency in the county’s procurement processes.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior EACC official said, “We are tracing financial flows and looking at patterns of decision-making that may indicate undue influence or benefit.”
The probe comes amid mounting public frustration over widespread graft in devolved units. Counties receive billions annually from the national government, but audits frequently uncover weak oversight, inflated costs, and ghost projects.
Trans Nzoia, located in Kenya’s Rift Valley region, has seen increased infrastructure spending in recent years much of it tied to healthcare and sports development. Critics, however, have long warned that this rapid growth could outpace proper oversight.
Civil society groups have called for a swift and transparent investigation. “This isn’t just about one county,” said Grace Wanjiku, a governance advocate based in Eldoret. “It’s about the credibility of devolution. People need to see that accountability is possible.”
The EACC has not announced when it expects to conclude its probe but said its findings would guide any potential prosecutions.
As the investigations continue, attention is now turning to how the case could affect Natembeya, a first-term governor and former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, whose political profile has risen sharply in recent years.
For now, the Commission says it will let the facts speak for themselves. “We follow the evidence,” said the EACC official. “Wherever it leads.”
