Senate committee chair steps down after he’s accused of bias in Natembeya audit hearing

A Senate committee session to question Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya on audit issues took a dramatic turn when Bungoma Senator David Wakoli was forced to step down as chair over bias accusations.

The dramatic moment unfolded during the Senate Agriculture, Blue Economy and Livestock Committee session on Thursday, when Governor Natembeya tabled a video showing Senator Wakoli making prejudicial remarks during a recent public function in Bungoma County.

The footage, recorded at Cardinal Otunga Girls’ High School during the handover of a new dormitory by the Kenya Pipeline Company Foundation, captured Wakoli vowing to grill Natembeya when he appears before the legislators.

Wakoli likened Natembeya to Barabbas—the biblical figure pardoned while Jesus was crucified.

“Barnabas is right here in Trans Nzoia. It’s time we crucified and moved him out of the way,” Wakoli said at the event, in a remark many interpreted as inflammatory and prejudiced.

In the same speech, Wakoli urged the public to tune in to the Senate hearing and watch how he will grill Natembeya.

“Make sure your TVs are on. Watch how we question him. If he’s made mistakes, he must take responsibility,” he said.

Pronounced judgment

Governor Natembeya, visibly angered by the remarks, used the committee session to demand Wakoli’s recusal, arguing that the senator had already pronounced judgment and could not chair the hearing impartially.

“Justice must not only be done but also be seen to be done. If a judge were to make such remarks in public about an accused person, it would only be reasonable for them to recuse themselves,” Natembeya said.

“We are not here for a choreographed charade. This committee has quasi-judicial powers, and I expect a fair and neutral hearing.”

New sets of questions

He questioned whether the process was already rigged against him, noting that new sets of questions had emerged allegedly from unnamed individuals outside the official process.

“If those questions are raised here, I politely ask to be excused, because it would mean the Senate is no longer applying its mind independently. We are being persecuted like Jesus Christ,” he said.

Other senators on the committee supported Natembeya’s concerns and watched the video evidence, which confirmed Wakoli’s remarks.

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• senate committee
• Trans Nzoia Governor
• George Natembeya
• Bungoma Senator
• David Wakoli
• Senate committee chair steps down after he’s accused of bias in Natembeya audit hearing
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The footage showed Wakoli accusing Natembeya of evading accountability, declaring him guilty in advance, and vowing to hold him to account during the Senate session.

Breached neutrality principles

The senators agreed that the comments breached the principles of neutrality expected of a committee chair. With no backing from fellow members, Wakoli conceded and stepped aside from chairing the session.

“I will not chair the proceedings but will remain a neutral member of the committee,” he said, before inviting Senator Tom Ojienda to take over as chair.

Wakoli’s prior remarks also included harsh criticism of Natembeya’s recent political activities. He accused the governor of hypocrisy for traversing Western Kenya to criticise other leaders while failing to address issues in Trans Nzoia.

“Leaders from outside Bungoma think they can just stroll in, hold demonstrations and tell us how to develop. Yet their own counties are lagging, while Bungoma is making progress,” Wakoli said, defending his county’s achievements, including an industrial park, a new immigration office, Kanduyi Stadium, and the ongoing Matulo Airport project.

Natembeya, on the other hand, had just completed a tour of Kakamega, Vihiga and Bungoma counties, where he criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration and accused senior leaders like Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula of neglecting the Luhya community.

In response to the growing political tension, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi came to Natembeya’s defence, condemning Western leaders who celebrated his arrest over corruption allegations.

Speaking at Kitale Pentecostal Church, Amisi called the reactions morally wrong and warned of future repercussions if injustice went unchallenged.

“These charges appear politically motivated,” he said, urging Christians to pray for the governor and calling for unity across political lines.