George Natembeya Denies Moving to Kenya Kwanza after Hosting CS Murkomen: "I've No Business"
- Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya says his meetup with Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen was a matter of protocol
- He refuted the claims from some quarters suggesting that he was being courted into the government, hence the meeting with Murkomen
- The governor explained that it is required of him to play host to any government official visiting his county, restating his commitment to the United Opposition
- Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, political analyst Kenneth Mwangi contextualised the meeting within Kenya’s broader political and governance dynamics
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Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya has refuted the claims that he is being courted to President William Ruto's side and might fall for it.
Source: Twitter
The county boss hosted Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on July 28, when the latter presided over the Trans Nzoia edition of the Jukwaa La Usalama fora.
The CS, in the company of ranking officials in the security stratum, among them Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, called on Natembeya at his offices.
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What Natembeya and Murkomen discussed
The governor explained that their meeting centred on a series of challenges unique to Trans Nzoia, including land grabbing.
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He added that;
"We agreed on the need for stronger collaboration between national and county governments to tackle such challenges head-on and to promote peace, security, and sustainable development for the people of Trans Nzoia."
The foregoing sparked the assertion that Murkomen was on a political mission in Trans Nzoia, particularly to court Natembeya to the government side.
But the governor clarified that his meeting with Murkomen was a matter of protocol and had nothing to do with his political preference.
Natembeya noted that it is required of him to play host to visiting national government officials by virtue of him being the county chief executive officer.
"I understand protocol that exists right now. When a senior government official, should they be the president, Cabinet secretary, or even principal secretary, visits, they go to the county commissioner, who then brings them to the governor's office to sign the visitors' book. I was a county commissioner so I know these things. Did people expect me to run away from the CS? Definitely he would come to my office, who would he find in the office? I welcomed and greeted him before he left for his engagements, and I left for Nairobi," Natembeya said.
On whether he would cross over from the opposition to the government, the county boss was categorical that he would compromise his conviction in pursuit of good governance.
Source: Twitter
Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, political analyst Kenneth Mwangi, a lecturer at the University of Nairobi’s School of Political Science, contextualised the meeting within Kenya’s wider political framework.
“Protocol dictates such meetings, but in our political setting, where perceptions often eclipse facts, opposition figures must tread carefully. Natembeya’s past government ties and bold stance make him a significant target for speculation. While he may remain loyal to the opposition in substance, moments like these are easily seized upon by state machinery to send subtle political signals,” Mwangi told TUKO.co.ke.
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The governor said he knew the consequences of speaking truth to power and was ready to bear them with grace and dignity.
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He would therefore not seek gratification by joining the state.
Natembeya said a cabinet position, as suggested by many, would not be of any value to him, as he is a substantive elected governor with a wide scope of roles.
He therefore quashed the assertion that he was meeting Murkomen, perhaps to lobby for a CS post, stating that his focus is currently on serving those who elected him.
"Our stance still remains. We believe the country is not in the right direction, and that does not change because someone has visited Natembeya. We have a firm stand, and we are paying a price for it. We are bearing the consequences for what we are saying against the government. We will continue with this. I have no business joining the government in any capacity. If you give me the CS job, what value does it add to me? I left government employment, and now my focus is on serving the people of Trans Nzoia who employed me by way of cast ballots," he said.
Natembeya is a known harsh critic of the Kenya Kwanza regime.
How EACC cornered Natembeya
He is on record decrying the state weaponising the agencies and instruments of power to retaliate against critics like him.
Two months ago, the governor was troubled by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) after its agents camped at his Trans Nzoia home and offices over his alleged involvement in corruption.
Natembeya's dramatic arrest was characterised by the destruction of EACC vehicles and other property as his supporters countered the anti-graft body officers.
He was later arraigned in Nairobi and charged with, among others, conflict of interest contrary to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
The governor was later released on a KSh 500,000 cash bail.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
