Anti-Corruption Sleuths Arrest Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya over Alleged Embezzlement of Ksh.1.4B County Funds
According to Natembeya’s lawyer Ndegwa Njiri, the governor was presented at the EACC headquarters in Nairobi on Monday morning for a statement recording.
He however, notes that his legal team has been denied access and the Governor will remain under detention till further notice.
“They have locked in our client, but we are not able to access him or give him any legal counsel on the process that is currently being undertaken,” Njiru said.
The Commission says it is investigating allegations of procurement irregularities, abuse of office and bribery. EACC says the arrests is linked to fraudulent acquisition of Ksh.1.4 billion.
The alleged irregularities are believed to have occurred in the 2022/2023 to 2024/2025 Financial Years.
EACC says that the incidents relate to three major county projects, among them the rehabilitation and modernisation of Kenyatta Stadium (Phase 1A), the construction of the county headquarters offices and the construction of Tom Mboya Hospital.
The Commission is therefore conducting a search operation, targeting offices and residences of various persons of interest, including Natembeya’s.
“The Governor is alleged to have influenced award of tenders and received kickbacks from contractors through proxies,” the Commission said.
EACC officers had earlier raided Natembeya’s home in Kitale, prompting ridicule from DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa.
“We will not allow harassment of the opposition and the weaponizing of our justice system,” he said.
He added that the same harassment is being subjected to other opposition members, among them Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua and Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya.
