Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Courts in Nairobi following his arrest by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged financial irregularities involving Ksh1.4 billion in county funds.
Governor Natembeya faces three counts of corruption-related offences and has formally taken plea in court. He is charged alongside several senior county officials and a contractor who is alleged to be his proxy.
Those charged with him include Emanuel Masungo, Chief Officer for Finance; Dorothy Nyukuri, Chief Officer for Water; Eliyah Liambula, Director of Procurement; and contractor Desmond Shivachi.
According to investigators, Shivachi is believed to have acted as a proxy in questionable procurement deals tied to the governor. The alleged corruption scandal is centered on misappropriation and irregular awarding of tenders in the county.
The arrests come after a dramatic early-morning raid on Monday at Natembeya’s Milimani residence in Kitale, which was conducted in his absence by a joint team of EACC and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers.
Governor Natembeya’s legal team is led by lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, and includes prominent political figures — DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah — who have joined his defense.
