Trans Nzoia Residents Walk Out of Madaraka Day Venue after Realising George Natembeya Won?t Attend

Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi was on Madaraka Day forced to address a near-empty venue

The venue had witnessed several locals turn up for the event, but the majority walked out after realising Governor George Natembembeya would not attend

According to a governor?s aide, Natembeya skipped the event after finding out that there was a plot to cause a crowd confrontation, and he would be blamed

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Trans Nzoia county commissioner Gideon Oyagi was left addressing a near-empty venue after a majority of locals who had turned up for the Madaraka Day celebrations walked away.

Locals who had attended the event walked away after realising the governor wouldn't attend. Photos: Davis Bwayo (TUKO), George Natembeya.

Source: Facebook

Tens of residents had braved early morning sunshine to listen to their leaders during the celebrations at Lessos Primary School in Bidii Ward on the outskirts of Kitale town.

However, on realising that embattled Governor George Natembeya would not attend the celebration, they walked out of the venue in their numbers, leaving it near empty.

The incident happened just as the county commissioner was about to read President William Ruto?s speech, as is customary for all national celebrations at the county level.

Natembeya had sent Health County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Sam Ojwang to deliver his speech.

Aside from the governor, no elected leader in the county was present, including the area Member of Parliament, Ferdinand Wanyonyi, who was said to be out of the country.

Reports had earlier indicated that Natembeya was to attend the Madaraka Day county celebrations, only for him to change his plans later on.

Why Natembeya skipped Madaraka Day celebrations

According to the governor?s aide, who sought anonymity, Natembeya skipped the event after receiving information of a planned supporters? confrontation.

The aide claimed the governor?s enemies, using their proxies, were to use the said confrontation to blame him and build a case against him.

"The governor is not attending today?s event, mambo ni mingi anapangiwa (many things are being planned against him), and we have information on what these people are planning. For that reason, I am sure he's aware and he will not attend this function,? the aide told TUKO.co.ke.

Since he was elected to the office in 2022, Natembeya has never missed any national celebration event in his county.

It was the first time Natembeya had skipped a national holiday celebrations. Photo: George Natembeya.

Source: Facebook

The incident comes at a time the High Court has issued an order stopping Natembeya from setting foot in his offices at the county headquarters in Kitale town for 60 days.

The directive was part of the restrictions the court placed on Natembeya following corruption charges he is facing.

Following the directive, the governor last week worked from the Kiminini sub-county offices.

Why EACC raided Natembeya's house

Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had released a statement detailing the reason behind its officers' raiding Governor Natembeya's home at Milimani Estate in Kitale.

EACC said the raid was part of investigations into irregular payments of KSh 1.4 billion made by the Trans Nzoia county.

The agency further said Natembeya was under investigation for influencing tenders for the said payments and receiving kickbacks. He has since been arraigned in court.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke