Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya now says he won't be harbouring any state honours owing to the recent tribulations he has faced at the hands of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) agents.
The county boss, who served at higher ranks of government administration, was honoured with remarkable state honours for his impeccable career in public service.
The governor is an awardee of the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBA) and the Elder of Burning Spear (EBS).
He said he would be returning the awards to the president in an apparent display of protest after he was arrested and arraigned to face charges related to corruption.
"Because of what they have taken me through, I am going to return them to Harambee House. Really, how can you be given state honours and then be taken to court. I have the MBS and EBS. And also, the EACC took them so they have defiled it and I don't need it. It is political harassment. You cannot call yourself being honoured by the state, and then they accuse you of being a thief. How can you write your name with EBS and MBS, and then have a court case. I cannot reconcile the two. So I will voluntarily return them," Natembeya said.
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The governor held that his tribulations were politically motivated and that his detractors were not happy with him being outspoken on issues pertinent to the lowly Kenyans.
He declared that his stint in the public service would not depend on state honours as Kenyans can tell whether or not he served well.
Natembeya restated that powerful forces were 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.
Natembeya further warned that such silence in the face of injustice would not go unpunished.
Natembeya was arraigned on May 21 following his arrest over allegations of conflict of interest and corruption stemming from two separate counts involving financial transactions totalling over Ksh3 million.
According to the charge sheet, he was accused of knowingly acquiring money from individuals and companies doing business with the County Government of Trans Nzoia.
Natembeya was later released on a Ksh500,000 cash bail with an alternative of a Ksh1 million bond, following a ruling issued by Nairobi Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki.
Despite his release, he was issued with conditions to observe during his release, including not accessing his office for 60 days.
Natembeya 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.
