Governor Natembeya Left Exposed as His Security Detail Is Withdrawn
The same group is also said to have targeted the residence of Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, raising more concerns about the motive behind the coordinated attacks.
The ambush, which occurred during a campaign rally, left several vehicles damaged and caused panic among those present. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The security detail assigned to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been withdrawn under circumstances that have stirred fresh political tension and raised questions about his safety. According to the governor, all officers attached to him and those stationed at his residence were recalled at exactly midnight on Wednesday, leaving him without official protection. He confirmed to Citizen Digital that the withdrawal happened abruptly, with no prior explanation provided to him or his office.
This latest development comes just days after a violent incident on Saturday, November 22, where Governor Natembeya and his entourage came under attack by armed individuals during a political engagement in Chwele Ward, Kabuchai, Bungoma County. The ambush, which occurred during a campaign rally, left several vehicles damaged and caused panic among those present. Images and video footage that later circulated widely on social media showed vehicles belonging to the governor’s convoy smashed, with windows shattered and bodywork dented.
Governor Natembeya said that he escaped harm narrowly during the attack, accusing the armed group of shooting at him when it stormed the event. The same group is also said to have targeted the residence of Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, raising more concerns about the motive behind the coordinated attacks.
He did not mince his words while addressing the media after inspecting the destruction at Kalasinga’s home. Natembeya linked the attacks to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, with whom he has had a long political rivalry. He accused the Speaker of orchestrating the violence, misusing state resources to intimidate political opponents.
Expressing his frustration, the governor called out what he referred to as a dangerous and retrogressive form of politics. “This is primitive; it is not politics,” he lamented about increasing intimidation and aggression in politics. He went ahead and challenged Members of Parliament to question the conduct of their leader in the National Assembly: “Wabunge wa Kenya, huyu ndio Chairman wenu anafanya mambo kama hii… your leader in the National Assembly is the one doing these things. Sending goons to come and destroy the home of a member of the National Assembly… because they have a different political opinion,” he stated. The withdrawal of his security, coming in the immediate aftermath of such a confrontation, has raised speculation that the move might be connected to this weekend’s assault. With investigations ongoing, the development has heightened political debate, with supporters citing concerns over the governor’s safety and the broader implications for political freedoms and accountability in the region.
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