A heavy police presence was witnessed early this morning at the Kitale home of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya as detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, accompanied by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, conducted a raid.
The unexpected operation caught many residents by surprise, with heavily armed officers blocking all entry points to the governor’s compound and limiting movement in the surrounding area.
Locals who had woken up to start their day found roads leading to the residence completely sealed. Some expressed shock while others stood by in silence, watching the operation from a distance.
According to reports the raid is linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and misuse of public funds in the Trans Nzoia County government. The officers were reportedly executing a search warrant focused on procurement irregularities and suspicious contracts that were issued over the past year.
Although official details remain limited, sources close to the investigation confirmed that key documents and electronic devices were taken away from the residence. These are expected to be used as evidence as part of a larger probe into questionable dealings in the county.
Governor George Natembeya was reportedly at home at the time of the raid. However, he did not address the press or issue a statement. His aides only confirmed that investigators were at the home and had taken away several items for examination.
George Natembeya, who served as a Regional Commissioner before joining politics, has often branded himself as a reformist. He built his political image around the promise of cleaning up county leadership and fighting corruption head-on.
Today’s raid by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission now puts his promises and leadership under a harsh spotlight, raising many questions about what may have gone wrong.
Social media was flooded with reactions. Some Kenyans expressed deep disappointment, especially those who supported Natembeya during his campaigns.
Others urged the public to be patient and wait for the investigations to reveal the truth. One resident from Kitale posted, “This is serious. We voted for change, not another scandal,” reflecting the frustration felt by many. The situation highlights the growing pressure on county leaders as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission steps up its efforts to crack down on graft in devolved governments.
With Natembeya’s administration now facing pressure, many eyes will be on the outcome of the ongoing investigations. The Commission is expected to release an official statement later today.
