Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been released on a cash bail of Ksh.500,000 or a bond of Ksh.1 million after pleading not guilty to corruption charges involving over Ksh.3.2 million in alleged misappropriated county funds.
Natembeya appeared before Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki on Tuesday, where he was formally charged with three counts, including two related to conflict of interest and one for unlawful acquisition of public property. The charges stem from payments made by the Trans Nzoia County Government to three companies between January 2023 and April 2025.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Governor is accused of indirectly benefiting from payments made to Lyma Agro Science Limited, Maira Stores, and Easterly Winds Limited—companies that had business dealings with the county.
The prosecution claims that Natembeya received Ksh.1,127,900 through Mercy Chelangat, director of Lyma Agro and proprietor of Maira Stores, and an additional Ksh.2,124,668 from Emmanuel Wafula Masungo, the beneficial owner of Easterly Winds Limited.
As part of his release conditions, the court barred Governor Natembeya from accessing his office for 60 days, imposed a travel ban unless cleared by the court, and issued a gag order preventing him from discussing the case publicly or through the media. He was also cautioned against attempting to influence witnesses.
The court directed the prosecution to provide all evidence to the defense by June 3, 2025, when the matter will be mentioned for a pre-trial conference.
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