Nairobi, Kenya – Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been formally charged with three counts of graft, including two counts of conflict of interest and one count of unlawful acquisition of public property, in a case that is already igniting heated political debate across the country.
Appearing before the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, Natembeya pleaded not guilty to all charges. According to the charge sheet, between January 1, 2023, and April 30, 2025, the governor allegedly acquired an indirect pecuniary interest amounting to Sh1,127,900 from Mercy Chelangat, the director of Lyma Agro Science Limited and proprietor of Maria Stores, both of which had business dealings with the county government.
In a second count, the prosecution alleges that the governor received an additional Sh2,124,668 from Emmanuel Wafula Masungo, the beneficial owner of Easterly Winds Limited—another company contracted by the County Government of Trans Nzoia.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) further claims that Natembeya unlawfully acquired Sh3,252,568 in public funds through payments made to Chelangat’s firm.
While granting him release, Nairobi Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki set Natembeya’s bond at Sh1 million with an alternative of Sh500,000 cash bail. However, the governor’s freedom came with strings attached—15 conditions in total—including a 60-day ban from accessing his county office, a travel restriction without court approval, and a gag order prohibiting public discussion of the case.
“Any breach of the conditions shall attract attendant consequences, including cancellation of bond or bail,” Magistrate Ondieki warned.
Natembeya’s legal team has dismissed the charges as politically motivated. His defense lawyer argued passionately that the prosecution amounted to a “legal witch hunt,” pointing out that the governor was in Nairobi when property destruction related to the allegations occurred in Kitale.
“The accused cannot be held responsible for actions he neither directed nor benefited from directly. The reality of our political climate is that such accusations will likely continue until the 2027 elections,” the lawyer said.
Despite spirited attempts by the prosecution to hold the governor in custody, the court found no compelling reasons to deny him bail.
Outside the court his fellow members stood in solidarity with the governor saying that injustices by the government would soon come to light.
The case is likely to fuel political tensions in the run-up to the next general elections, with Natembeya being a high-profile political figure in the Rift Valley region. Analysts suggest the proceedings could have significant ramifications for both his gubernatorial legacy and potential national ambitions.
The matter is set to return to court for mention in the coming weeks as investigations continue.
by Kelly Were
