Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has cautioned the national government against relying on force to suppress public dissent, warning that brute tactics won’t shield political leaders from growing citizen outrage.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM, Natembeya said the government has become increasingly unresponsive to the frustrations of ordinary Kenyans and is instead hiding behind the power of the police – an approach he says is unsustainable.
He questioned the government’s readiness to handle a major uprising if ignored grievances escalate.
“If today one million Kenyans walked to State House, what are they going to do? Are they going to kill everybody?” he asked.
Natembeya argued that many leaders build a false sense of security around themselves while forgetting that true power ultimately rests with the people.
“All these walls we build around ourselves as leaders are fake. They can just crumble. At the end of the day power is with the people,” he said.
Natembeya Urges Economic Reform, Says Youth Unemployment Is Driving Unrest
He urged President William Ruto to urgently address the growing wave of discontent, warning that ignoring public frustration only signals poor leadership. Natembeya called on the president to put his house in order before the situation worsens.
The governor also identified economic hardship and youth unemployment as core drivers of national unrest. He urged the government to initiate bold reforms and create sustainable opportunities for young people, warning that the crisis is approaching a dangerous tipping point.
“We have done a huge disservice to this country. We are not supposed to be where we are now where unemployment is almost at 60%. Chances of you living a lifetime without a job in Kenya are very real, not because you haven’t gone to school. It’s because you can’t get a job,” he said.
He warned that young people are growing increasingly desperate and angry, yet leaders continue to downplay their concerns.
“And that is what the young people are talking about,” he said. “We are taking it very casually and we think because we are leaders we are very safe.”
