EACC-linked raid at Trans Nzoia Governor Natembeya’s home sparks political firestorm

Police officers on Monday raided the Kitale home of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya in an operation believed to involve the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), sparking political uproar and public protest.

The Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) confirmed the early morning operation, accusing the government of deploying security forces to settle political scores.

“A heavy contingent of police officers in plain clothes, well masked, have gained access to Governor George Natembeya’s Milimani home in Kitale. Such Moi tactics won’t work in the current life. Stop using security apparatus to settle political scores,” the party said in a statement.

Reports indicate the plainclothes officers involved in the raid are believed to be from the EACC, although the agency has yet to issue an official statement.

The development comes just hours after Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka warned of a looming arrest targeting Governor Natembeya.

Addressing a rally in Machakos on Sunday, Musyoka alleged that the EACC had already secured a search warrant to investigate Natembeya’s properties and subsequently detain him.

“Governor Natembeya is threatened as we speak, and on Monday, which is tomorrow, they have obtained a search warrant to go and search his house. They just want to apprehend him and release him so that they may embarrass him before the people of Trans Nzoia,” Musyoka said.

He further claimed that the motive behind the arrest was to damage Natembeya’s political image.

“If you are the governor and you don’t toe the line of those in leadership of the highest level, they will send EACC after you, but I want to say that the commission should not be used,” he said.

Kalonzo also revealed that the DAP-K party leader, Eugene Wamalwa, had vowed to do everything possible to prevent the arrest.

People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua condemned the raid, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of using state agencies to intimidate political rivals.

“I am asking William Ruto and his regime, why all the drama? Why do you raid a governor’s home like he is a flight risk? Do the police have a warrant to go and terrorise Governor George Natembeya and his family?” Karua asked.

Governor Natembeya, who had earlier spoken during a Sunday function, dismissed the use of police for political ends.

“We should stop using the police to solve our political problems. Law enforcement exists to uphold the rule of law, not to be a tool for political agendas.”

The incident is the latest in a series of political battles surrounding the Trans Nzoia governor.

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• EACC-linked raid at Trans Nzoia Governor Natembeya’s home sparks political firestorm
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In April, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei called for Natembeya’s impeachment, accusing him of fostering tribal division and mismanaging county affairs.

“Governor Natembeya should be impeached for stoking tribal animosity, division, poor development, and graft allegations. These offences are impeachable under the Constitution of Kenya 2010 for violating Articles 10, 27, 73, 74, 75, and 174,” Cherargei said.

In response, Natembeya accused the senator of interfering in county matters that did not concern him.

“I don’t understand why a senator belonging to Nandi County is meddling in the affairs of Trans Nzoia. Let Cherargei focus on his county. We are aware that he and the governor are not seeing eye to eye. The other day, he was grappling with Murkomen, and they took each other to court,” Natembeya said.

The Wiper leader also criticised the arrest of Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, who was allegedly apprehended by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on the Isiolo-Nanyuki road on Friday, May 16, shortly after addressing a public rally.

“They have apprehended Peter Salasya because of speaking his mind, and right now he is in the Central Police Station, and they have absolutely no charges against him that they can put against him,” Musyoka said, warning that such actions risk curtailing Kenyans’ freedom of expression.

By press time, no official communication had been issued by the police or the EACC regarding the reason for the raid on Governor Natembeya’s residence.