Kitale — Tensions ran high this morning after police and officials from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) raided the Kitale home of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya under unclear circumstances.
The early morning operation was led by heavily armed anti-riot police, who cordoned off the residence. Crowds of the governor’s supporters quickly gathered at the scene, chanting pro-Natembeya slogans and accusing authorities of politically motivated harassment.
Supporters, many of them youths aligned with the “Tawe Movement,” clashed with officers and deflated the tyres of five vehicles belonging to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and EACC. The standoff forced police to call in reinforcements to control the unrest.
The raid follows remarks made on Sunday by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who warned of a looming crackdown on Natembeya. Speaking at a rally in Machakos, Kalonzo alleged that the government was targeting the governor for his outspoken criticism of President William Ruto’s administration.
“If you are a governor and don’t toe the line, they send the EACC after you,” Kalonzo claimed. He warned that the aim was to arrest and later release Natembeya to discredit him publicly.
This is the second recent confrontation involving the governor. Last Monday, Natembeya and a group of leaders, including former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, were barred from accessing Nzoia Sugar Company, where they intended to address concerns about the ailing factory.
Efforts to get a comment from Natembeya’s communication team were unsuccessful. However, EACC CEO Abdi Ahmed Mohamud confirmed the operation, calling it a “routine exercise” but declined to give further details.
