Governor Natembeya snubs Madaraka Day celebrations in Trans Nzoia
Tensions peaked in late May when anti-corruption officials raided his Kitale home over alleged procurement irregularities and misuse of public funds, leading to his arrest.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and his deputy Philomena Kapkory were a no-show on Sunday, when the region marked the 62nd Madaraka Day Celebrations at the Lessos Primary School in Kwanza Sub-County.
Reports indicate that Natembeya was represented by County Health Executive Committee Member Sam Ojwang in a ceremony presided over by County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi. This was the first time Natembeya missed the Madaraka Day celebrations since he was elected in 2022.
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Additional reports state that Trans Nzoia MCAs, including host MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi, also snubbed the event that saw only a handful of residents, mostly children, turn up for the celebrations. Wanyonyi was reportedly on a Parliamentary assignment in Singapore.
School children gave entertaining performances during the event, but the energy and excitement were noticeably low as key county leaders were missing from the celebration.
Natembeya has found himself increasingly under political fire from the ruling Kenya Kwanza regime in recent weeks.
Tensions peaked in late May when anti-corruption officials raided his Kitale home over alleged procurement irregularities and misuse of public funds, leading to his brief arrest in Nairobi.
This came amid growing friction between Natembeya and top Kenya Kwanza leaders, whom he has openly criticised for sidelining his community and failing on key governance issues.
Speaking ahead of the celebrations last week, Natembeya expressed deep frustration with the state of the country, saying he saw no reason to take part in the event.
He criticised the government for failing ordinary Kenyans, pointing to rising poverty levels, restrictions on free speech and increased attacks on democratic freedoms. In his view, these conditions made it difficult to celebrate the very freedoms Madaraka Day is meant to honour.
"There is widespread poverty among ordinary Kenyans, increasing suppression of free expression, and growing attacks on democracy. Under these conditions, I find no reason to participate in the celebrations," said Natembeya.
"At the moment, I hold no position of power, so why should I attend celebrations of authority? The worsening poverty is a new form of colonialism. We have been deceiving ourselves, and I will consider in the future whether or not to attend such celebrations."
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