The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers have arrested Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya over allegations of masterminding the fraudulent embezzlement of Ksh 1.4 billion in county funds.
The Governor was apprehended at his Nairobi residence early this morning and is currently being detained at the EACC headquarters in Nairobi.
The arrest follows intense investigations into alleged irregular procurement and fictitious payments made by the County Government during the 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 financial years.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud revealed that Governor Natembeya is suspected of influencing the award of three major tenders and receiving hefty kickbacks through proxies.
The tenders in question include the Rehabilitation and Modernization of Kenyatta Stadium (Phase 1A), the construction of Trans Nzoia County Headquarters, and the building of Tom Mboya Hospital.
Four other individuals have also been implicated in the scandal: Finance Chief Officer Emanuel Masugo, Water Chief Officer Doroth Nyukuri, Procurement Director Eliyah Liambula, and contractor Desmond Shivachi—allegedly a close proxy of the Governor.
The Commission is also investigating claims of money laundering and suspicious accumulation of wealth by senior county officials, believed to be part of a grand scheme to conceal proceeds of crime.
Searches conducted today at the Governor’s residences and offices reportedly led to the recovery of critical documents and other evidence.
However, the operation took a violent twist in Kitale when rowdy youths vandalized EACC vehicles in an apparent protest against the Governor’s arrest.
The Commission condemned the act, warning that obstructing its officers during investigations is a criminal offence punishable by law.
By press time, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru had raised concerns, alleging that EACC had denied legal representatives’ access to the detained Governor.
