- Governor Natembeya charged over alleged misuse of KSh1.4 billion in county funds.
- He appeared at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court to face three corruption charges.
- Prosecution opposes bail, raising concerns over possible interference with witnesses.
- He is charged alongside top county officials and a contractor said to be his proxy.
- Arrest followed a joint raid by EACC and DCI in Nairobi and Kitale.
- Political allies like Eugene Wamalwa and Wajackoyah present in court as part of his legal team.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya was arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi on Tuesday following his arrest in connection with alleged embezzlement of KSh1.4 billion meant for county development. He appeared in court to answer to three serious charges linked to misuse of public funds.
During the session, the prosecution asked the court to deny Natembeya and his co-accused bail, arguing that releasing them could interfere with ongoing investigations. The State maintained that the weight of the accusations and the amount involved justified strict court measures.
Senior Officials Also Charged
Governor Natembeya wasn’t the only one in the dock. Several senior county staff were also charged, including Finance Chief Officer Emanuel Masungo, Water Chief Officer Dorothy Nyukuri, Procurement Director Eliyah Liambula, and a contractor, Desmond Shivachi. Investigators claim Shivachi acted as the governor’s frontman in the questionable transactions.
The arrests followed a morning operation led by officers from the EACC and DCI. The detectives raided Natembeya’s official residence in Kitale before tracing him to his home in Nairobi. He was later taken to the EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre for questioning ahead of his court appearance.
The embattled governor has received strong political and legal support. His defense is being handled by lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, and he’s backed by notable figures including former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa and Roots Party leader Prof. George Wajackoyah. Their presence in court signaled deep political interest in the case.
As the court proceedings continue, both sides are battling over whether the accused should be granted bail. The defense is challenging the evidence presented, while the prosecution insists the charges are serious and deserve thorough investigation without external interference.
