Natembeya Accuses Ruto of Using State Agencies to Silence Critics

George Natembeya, the Governor of Trans Nzoia County, on Monday sharply criticized President William Ruto, accusing him of weaponizing state investigative agencies to intimidate political opponents and suppress dissent.

Speaking at the newly established county headquarters during a thanksgiving ceremony and the issuance of appointment letters to 192 medical officers, Natembeya claimed that top investigative bodies were being used to settle political scores.

The governor specifically cited the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), alleging that the agency was being deployed to harass individuals who oppose the president’s political ideologies.

Despite the criticism, Natembeya clarified that he had no issue with the commission carrying out its mandate to investigate corruption. However, he condemned what he described as unprofessional conduct by some of its officers.

The governor referred to a legal battle he faced in May 2025 after the EACC obtained search warrants to raid his residence in Milimani, Kitale, as part of investigations into an alleged Sh1.4 billion corruption scandal. Natembeya claimed the probe was politically motivated and orchestrated by the state.

According to him, the operation traumatized his family, particularly his wife, whom he said was harassed by investigators during the raid.

“My only issue is the crude and unprofessional conduct of the officers who harassed my wife and left her traumatized to date,” he said.

Natembeya also revisited his past clashes with Ruto during his tenure as Rift Valley Regional Commissioner. He recalled that when Ruto served as deputy president, the two fell out after Natembeya ordered the eviction of illegal settlers from the Mau Forest.

The governor alleged that Ruto had threatened to have him removed from office at the time.

“I decided to call it quits and ask the people of Trans Nzoia to elect me as their governor because if I had remained serving as regional commissioner and Ruto became president, he would have victimized me,” Natembeya said.

During the event, the governor also addressed the newly recruited health workers, assuring them that the county government would review their employment terms. The 192 medical officers were hired on one-year contracts, but Natembeya said discussions were underway with the Trans Nzoia County Public Service Board and the county cabinet to convert their terms to permanent positions after successful probation.

“I will be engaging with the County Public Service Board and the cabinet to have your terms reviewed for better service delivery,” he said, urging the officers to remain focused on providing quality healthcare services.

Natembeya, a first-term governor who has recently emerged as a vocal critic of the so-called broad-based government, warned against what he termed growing authoritarian tendencies in the country.

He argued that the fight against corruption should be conducted independently, without political interference.

“If we have to genuinely deal with corruption, we shouldn’t allow political interference. We should deal with corruption the way it is supposed to be handled, without sacred cows,” he said.

The governor further cautioned that authoritarian leadership does not last forever, citing historical examples of leaders who ruled with iron fists but eventually lost power and influence after leaving office.