Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has condemned the national government for withdrawing his security detail, accusing it of political intimidation. 

Speaking at Jamhuri Day celebrations in Kitale, he described himself as a “walking prisoner” and claimed the decision was a direct result of his outspoken criticism of the administration. Natembeya said the removal of his driver and security was part of a broader pattern of persecution against leaders who challenge the government. 

He argued that his stance would be vindicated in history, contrasting his vision of legacy with the potential obscurity of his political opponents. The governor also criticised fellow county leaders for failing to confront President William Ruto during a recent summit at State House. 

According to Natembeya, governors expressed their concerns in private but lacked the courage to raise them publicly. He accused them of discussing matters in a WhatsApp group instead of addressing them directly with the president.

In his speech, Natembeya highlighted ongoing disputes over gold deposits in Ikolomani, where local residents face eviction from their ancestral land. He condemned exploitation by individuals he described as posing as foreigners to profit from the resources, warning that local communities’ rights were being violated for financial gain.