Governor George Natembeya Released, Given Conditons by Court

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been released on a Ksh500,000 cash bail with an alternative of a Ksh1 million bond.

Natembeya was released on Tuesday, May 20, following a ruling issued by Nairobi Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki.

Despite his release, the county boss was issued with conditions to observe during his release, including not accessing his office for 60 days.

The governor was also ordered not to travel outside the country without express permission from the court.

Additionally, he was warned against discussing the ongoing court case in public.

"The 1st has to appear before the court when and has required. The 1st accused undertakes to appear in court 15 minutes before the appointed time for the mention hearing unless exempted by court from physically appearing in court," the magistrate noted in his ruling.

Natembeya was arrested on Monday after his home was raided by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The county chief is being accused of receiving kickbacks from tenders worth Ksh1.4 billion that were awarded to different companies since 2022.

"The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya with the unlawful acquisition of Ksh3,252,568, being part of payments made by the County Government of Trans-Nzoia to two companies that conducted business with the county government," the prosecution noted in its statement.

"It is alleged that between 1st January 2023 and 30th April 2025, Governor Natembeya unlawfully acquired public property, specifically Ksh3,252,568, through payments made by the County Government of Trans Nzoia to Lyma Agro Science Limited, Maira Stores, and Easterly Winds Limited, in circumstances that constituted a conflict of interest."