Trans-Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya has challenged any county in the Rift Valley region with a representation balance as his to come out following remarks of tribalism by a section of senators from the region.
Speaking on Thursday, April 17, 2025, during a live TV interview, Natembeya stated that Trans-Nzoia County was the only place where women had more representation than men and where regional balance is observed
“This is a cosmopolitan county. All tribes are represented in Trans-Nzoia County. I am challenging all those claiming that tribalism is rampant in this county; if there is any county that rivals mine in terms of gender representation and regional balance in the entire Rift Valley, I will resign and leave this seat,” the governor dared.
“There are politicians who have perfected the art of claiming tribalism because it is politically correct to do so. My drivers are Kalenjins, the head of my security team is a Sabaot, and my team includes members of the Nandi, Sabaot, and every other community in Trans-Nzoia. Cherargei, can you tell me how many Bukusu individuals you have employed?
Calls for impeachment
The governor was responding to allegations by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who had picked up a fight with him over what the senator termed as tribalism in Trans-Nzoia County.
“Governor Natembeya should be impeached for stoking tribal animosity, division, poor development & corruption allegations. These offences are Impeachable under the constitution of Kenya 2010 for violating Articles 10,27, 73, 74, 75 and 174,” Cherargei said on Monday, April 14, 2025.
Natembeya, however, indicated that his political opponents were on his neck over his role in ridding Mau Forest of illegal settlers and his constant criticism of the ruling government.
Detractors
“My detractors are attacking me because of my previous work to flush out illegal settlers from Mau Forest. Also, they are bent on silencing me for speaking out on the ills of this regime because no one else dares to speak,” Natembeya stated.
“My Deputy is from the Sabaot community. If I were a tribalist, why didn’t I choose a person from my tribe? In my cabinet, there are Luos, Luhyas, Kikuyus and Kalenjins.
“Equally, 50 per cent of my cabinet are women. Even that of President William Ruto is not like that. Those holding senior leadership positions, like the Deputy Governor and County Secretary, are all women. I have not given them lesser roles just for the sake of representation,” Natembeya noted.
Natembeya has been on a warpath with a section of leaders from the Rift Valley and Western region after he chided the political heavyweights in the regions, claiming to be the panacea for the elusive Mulembe unity.
