Trans-Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya has declared himself a political prisoner, claiming he is being targeted for boldly speaking the truth following his arrest in May 2025.
Speaking during the Western region tour by the opposition leaders on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Kakamega Town, Natembeya stated that Western Kenya will not allow other people to dictate its politics.
“As I stand before you today, I am a political prisoner for speaking the truth. Luhyas are not cowards. We will not allow people from outside to come and plan our politics,” he stated.
Flanked by Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, and other opposition leaders, Natembeya condemned the introduction of political projects in the Western region.
“We don’t want political projects in the Western region. Those who bought the Mumias, Nzoia, and Pan Paper factories, we are telling them that once we come into power, we will chase them away. We will reclaim our property,” he stated.
His woes began when he, alongside Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa and Cleophas Malala, led a massive protest against the government’s decision to lease the Nzoia Sugar Company to the controversial businessman Jaswant Rai.
Demonstrations
The demonstration, which brought the Webuye-Malava highway to a standstill, descended into chaos after police fired teargas and live rounds into the air to disperse the crowds.
Demonstrators decried what they called an illegal and forceful takeover of a key regional economic lifeline, despite a court order issued on April 23, 2025, halting the lease of the state-owned miller to Rai’s West Kenya Sugar Company.
Governor Natembeya accused the government of orchestrating a sell-off of public assets under the guise of privatisation.
“Jaswant Rai failed with Pan Paper in Webuye. Today, it is a ghost town. Now he wants to ruin Nzoia. If state corporations are failing, should we auction Kenya Airways, KVDA, or even public universities? If anything should be leased, it’s the government itself—not our assets,” he said.
Natembeya was released on May 20, 2025, on a cash bail of Ksh500,000 with two contact persons or, alternatively, a bond of Ksh1 million with one surety.
Trial Magistrate Charles Ondieki imposed strict conditions, including a ban on interfering with prosecution witnesses and leaving the court’s jurisdiction without approval.
Natembeya was also barred from accessing his office for 60 days and exiting Kenya without the permission of the court and warned against witness interference. He was also prohibited from commenting on the case in any manner, either in the media or in a public forum.
