Governor Natembeya Explains Why He's No-Show in Gachagua Rallies

Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya says he is currently occupied with serving the people at the expense of playing politics.

Natembeya has been missing from all the political rallies organised by the current opposition principals, led by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP Kenya's Euegene Wamalwa.

The governor said that he was focused on serving those who elected him, saying at the right time he would announce where he stands politically.

According to him, it is not the right time to politick at the expense of service to the people.

"We've got this political formation of the former deputy president, Hon Kalonzo Musyoka, and Eugene Wamalwa, who are all working together. People are asking why is Natembeya is not being seen in these rallies, is he charting his own course? My response is that currently I'm serving the people of Trans Nzoia. Among us all in that group, I'm the only one who's elected. I've got a responsibility for the people of Trans Nzoia. So even as we balance politics, I also know that I've got a responsibility to my people. At the opportune time, we are going to make the decision on what we need to do. Of course, in consultation with our people. But for now, my mind is all set on being governor for Trans Nzoia. Because I've got that five-year mandate. I don't want to get myself mixed up with other things," he said.

Natembeya, however, vowed to comment on national matters despite his commitment to serving the Trans Nzoia constituents.

The county boss has been vocal against President William Ruto's regime, which he often accuses of failing to address the challenges faced by Kenyans.

He has never shied away from giving his strong opinions on matters of national importance.

In February this year, Natembeya accused Ruto of committing a serious blunder by allowing Kenyans in the country's north to acquire their national identity cards without having to undergo vetting.

During his working tour of Northern and North Eastern Kenya, Ruto signed a decree scrapping the long-standing vetting process for national identification cards (IDs) in Kenya’s North Eastern region.

According to Ruto, the actualisation of the decree would address historical discrimination against communities in the area.

Reacting to the move, Natembeya said it would ultimately have implications for the country's security.

According to him, abolishing vetting before handing the IDs to applicants would see the entry of criminal elements into the public and the echelons of the country's security stratum.

"One day we are going to have an Al-Shabaab as the president's escort. Before they make any decisions, think. That's why even Trump, as we talk now, is deporting people. There was a time when I think it was Uhuru who tried to put a barrier between Kenya and Somalia. What was the reason? This policy decision is a disaster. I've got a particular issue with even the recent removal of vetting of people before they are given identity cards," he said.

According to the county boss, who spoke in his capacity as a former senior state security operative, Ruto's decision was ill-advised.

He pointed out that the vetting method separated civilians from criminals and hence helped the security operatives to trace perpetrators of such criminal acts as terrorism.