A routine court appearance for Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya took an unexpected turn on Tuesday when three men, believed to work with the county government, were quietly taken into custody outside Milimani Law Courts.
Their arrest came shortly after a judge ordered the prosecution to hand over all evidence in Natembeya’s ongoing graft case a move seen as a key moment in the high-profile proceedings.
Natembeya faces three serious charges: unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, and indirectly benefiting from public funds.
In court, the prosecution admitted it had not yet complied with an earlier order to share evidence with the defence, prompting the judge’s firm directive: “Those documents and statements ought to have been supplied by now I therefore direct the prosecution to comply with the earlier orders.”
The State, represented by Counsel Victor Awiti, had requested an additional two weeks, saying key documents were yet to be accessed from the county offices. But the defence team was not having it.
“Why charge someone and then start looking for evidence?” the defence asked, describing the prosecution’s request as a misuse of court process.
Outside the courtroom, the atmosphere turned tense. The sudden arrest of the three individuals, reportedly affiliated with the county government, added to the charged mood. Onlookers murmured, some filming the incident as officers led the men away.
Details of the arrests remain unclear, and authorities have yet to confirm the charges or reasons behind the detentions.
The court ordered the prosecution to disclose all relevant materials by June 16, when the case will next be mentioned.
For now, the spotlight remains not just on Governor Natembeya’s trial but also on what exactly is unfolding behind the scenes.
