Governor George Natembeya has broken his silence after skipping Madaraka Day celebrations in Trans Nzoia County.
Speaking on Monday, June 2, Natembeya questioned the essence of the annual commemoration, arguing that the ideals of freedom and justice, for which the country’s independence heroes fought, have been eroded.
"I don't have freedom, what am I going to celebrate? If I attended the Madaraka Day celebrations, what was I going to say? Is this the kind of freedom that we fought for from the colonialists?" he posed.
Natembeya's remarks come in the wake of his arrest and arraignment in court, suggesting that he was unfairly targeted.
"If state agencies can arrest a whole governor, what about a normal citizen? We have nothing to celebrate and we have been cheating ourselves; I don't think I will ever attend that event ever again," he declared.
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This comes a week after Natembeya told off those in power, accusing them of attempting to silence him and other outspoken leaders.
Speaking on Monday, May 26, Natembeya claimed that powerful forces are working to suppress voices that speak out against the government.
He made it clear that he would not be intimidated into silence, instead, invoking the Constitution of Kenya as his shield.
"They have destroyed Mumias and Nzoia Sugar companies, and they don’t want us to speak; they just want us to stay silent. But the Constitution of Kenya gives people the right to speak, and I will not be afraid because I am protected by the Constitution," he said.
Natembeya further warned that such silence in the face of injustice would not go unpunished.
"And to our leaders who remain silent when the government is oppressing people, just because they have food in their mouths, they will soon face the consequences," he added.
