Riot-police at the entrance of Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya's home in Kitale on May 19, 2025.
Violent demonstrations characterised Monday’s raid on Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s residence in Kitale by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officials.
Groups of youth protesting the raid, which took over five hours, damaged five of the vehicles that EACC officers had come in. The youth lit bonfires on the road leading to the governor’s residence and on the Kitale-Eldoret highway, forcing police to lob tear gas at them. Traffic in and out of Kitale town was disrupted as police moved in to quell the protests.
Police were forced to call for General Service Units reinforcement to contain the situation as residents engaged police in running battles.
The EACC officials left the governor’s residence escorted by the GSU officers as the home was surrounded by hostile county residents.
The five vehicles that had their tyres deflated and damaged remained outside the governor's home under police guard.
The protesting residents marched along Kitale streets and then into the bus park, where they sang the national anthem before dispersing. Some people were arrested at the bus park, including an aide to the governor.
Francis Wangila, Mr Natembeya’s neighbour, said a convoy of five vehicles drove into the governor’s home at 5am.
Supporters of Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya protest at the entrance to his home at Milimani in Kitale on May 19, 2025.
“The officers tried to gain entry into the compound but residents opposed this,” he said. “The residents blocked the officers from accessing the governor’s home until they produced a search warrant.” He added that the governor was also consulted on the phone as he was said to be away in Nairobi. His spouse, Lilian Natembeya, was in the house.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud condemned the chaos.
Police remove barricades placed on Kitale-Eldoret Road by supporters of Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya on May 19, 2025.
“Unfortunately, during today’s operation at Governor Natembeya’s residence in Kitale, Commission vehicles were vandalised by a group of rowdy youth. The Commission strongly condemns the violence directed at its officers while lawfully executing their mandate. It is an offense punishable by law for any person to obstruct a Commission Officer while undertaking investigations,” he said in a statement.
“This act of hooliganism is unacceptable and a direct affront to the rule of law. The Commission affirms that it is an independent constitutional body operating strictly within its mandate and will continue to discharge its duties with professionalism and integrity,” he added.
The commission explained that the raid was related to a probe into allegations of irregular procurement and fictitious payments amounting to Sh1.4 billion. It added that it is also probing allegations of money laundering and accumulation of unexplained wealth by senior county officials.
Anti-riot police put out a bonfire lit on Kitale-Eldoret Road by supporters of Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya on May 19, 2025.
Mr Mohamud said EACC detectives searched the residences and offices of Mr Natembeya and four other county officials in relation to the alleged irregular procurement and fictitious payments during the 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 financial years.
“The search operation is part of a wider investigation into allegations of procurement irregularities, abuse of office, bribery and fraudulent acquisition of public funds,” Mr Mohamud said.
Local leaders, led by Hospital Ward Representative Erick Wafula vowed to lead demonstrations in support of Mr Natembeya.
A vehicle believed to belong to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) which were vandalised by youths reacting to a raid on the home of Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya in Kitale on May 19, 2025.
Mr Alfred Wamangoli, a relative to Mr Natembeya, said: “This is very sad and we are upset by what the government has done to our family. This is not only disrespectful but also serious intimidation of the governor.”
DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa and other leaders condemned the raid. Mr Wamalwa said it was unfortunate that President William Ruto’s government had resorted to profiling and harassing leaders criticising his administration.
“The team has found nothing. They were looking for money. This raid is meant to intimidate the governor,” said Mr Wamalwa.
