Government Denies Reports of Governor Natembeya’s Arrest, Assassination Attempt on Panyako

 

By Brian 

The government has dismissed reports claiming that Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya was arrested in connection with the ongoing Malava by-election, terming the allegations false and unfounded.

Kakamega County Commissioner Onesmas Kyatha on Thursday said he was not aware of any arrest involving the governor and that no such incident had been recorded in any police station within the area.

“The alleged arrest is outside the realm of the ongoing Malava by-election,”Kyatha stated.

The county commissioner also denied claims that the government had knowledge of an alleged assassination attempt on DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako, who is contesting in the by-election. Kyatha said that the purported attack on Hillview Hotel, owned by Panyako, occurred outside the election zone but assured that it would be thoroughly investigated.

He confirmed that a team from Matete Police Station had already been deployed to probe the alleged attack.

Kyatha further refuted accusations that police officers were shielding goons who were reportedly harassing voters in Malava. He noted that authorities had not received any formal report about a vehicle being burnt and said he did not know who the alleged owner could be.

Earlier in the day, Panyako broke down in tears before casting his vote at St Joseph’s Lunyu Primary School, claiming he had been targeted by hired attackers who stormed his hotel at Kaburengu Junction in Lugari Constituency. He said his grandson, who was inside the hotel during the raid, remained missing.

The DAP-K candidate accused the government of orchestrating the chaos and failing to respond to repeated reports of voter bribery and election irregularities he says he filed with both the police and the IEBC.

The alleged group of attackers is said to have invaded Hillview Hotel where Panyako and his team were meeting to strategize on vote protection. They reportedly assaulted occupants and destroyed property before fleeing.

Commissioner Kyatha insisted that the government would address all security concerns impartially.

“The government will deal with cases of insecurity without the status of those involved,”he said.

The Malava by-election has drawn heightened political tension, with security agencies maintaining that they are committed to ensuring a peaceful and credible voting process.