TRANS NZOIA COMMISSIONER ORDERS GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATORS TO STOP SALUTING NATEMBEYA IN RUTO ROW

By Onchwari Collins

Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Hussein Allasow has sparked political controversy after directing government administrators to stop saluting Governor George Natembeya, accusing the county boss of disrespecting President William Ruto.

The commissioner issued the directive during Mashujaa Day celebrations in Trans Nzoia County on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, where he openly challenged administrators to withdraw the official courtesies they extend to the governor.

In a strongly worded address, Allasow told administrators that they should not accord respect to leaders who, in his view, fail to respect the Head of State.

“Mtu ambaye haeshimu rais msifanye nini? Msimheshimu! Anyone who does not respect the president, don’t respect him. Do you understand? And from today, nobody is allowed to salute the governor, do you understand? No one! I say that without any fear!” Allasow declared.

The remarks have added a new dimension to the political tensions surrounding Natembeya and the national government, with the commissioner’s directive raising questions about official protocol and the relationship between national government administrators and elected county leaders.

Natembeya, who has been an outspoken political figure, has frequently attracted attention over his positions on governance and national leadership. His political differences with President Ruto and allies of the Kenya Kwanza administration have continued to generate debate in the political arena.

Allasow’s declaration is particularly significant because county commissioners represent the national government in their respective counties and coordinate the work of national government departments and administrative officers.

However, the directive raises questions about whether political disagreements between leaders should influence the manner in which public officers discharge their official responsibilities and interact with elected representatives.

Under Kenya’s devolved system of government, governors are elected by residents to lead their respective county administrations, while county commissioners oversee national government functions at the county level. The two offices have distinct responsibilities and are expected to operate within the law.

The commissioner’s remarks are therefore likely to attract further scrutiny over the distinction between personal or political disagreements and the professional conduct expected of public officials.

It remains unclear whether Allasow’s directive was accompanied by any formal written communication or whether it applies to all government administrators in Trans Nzoia County.

Governor Natembeya’s response to the commissioner’s remarks was not immediately available at the time of publication.

The incident is likely to intensify debate over political relations between the national government and the Trans Nzoia County administration, as well as the role of public officers in maintaining professionalism amid disagreements among political leaders.