Published on May 19, 2025 by Kariuki Mwangi
Last Updated on 1 year by Kariuki Mwangi
There was tension in Kitale as Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers, accompanied by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) made a surprise raid at the Milimani residence of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
The early morning operation on Monday , May 19,2025, sparked chaos outside the governor’s home, as word of the raid quickly spread.
Supporters of the Governor and curious residents began to gather, with many openly expressing solidarity with the outspoken county boss.
Former Defense Cabinet Secretary and Democratic Action Party – Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa, who was among the first political leader to arrive at the residence called out political intolerance noting that Natembeya was a victim of political witch-hunt.
Reports from eyewitnesses say that EACC officers were seen entering the residence carrying several unlabelled boxes, fueling speculation about the nature and purpose of the raid. The reason for the search remains unclear, as no official statement has been issued by the EACC at the time of publishing.
In a dramatic twist, rowdy youths in the area, angered by the presence of the state officers, resorted to deflating the tyres of five vehicles belonging to the DCI and EACC teams. The damaged vehicles were left immobilized outside the compound as tension boiled over.
“The people are tired of political witch-hunts. We will not allow our governor to be intimidated,” shouted one protester, who declined to be named for safety reasons. Others could be heard chanting anti-EACC slogans and calling the raid a politically motivated act.
The incident comes just days after Governor Natembeya led a massive protest opposing the controversial sale of the government-owned Nzoia Sugar Company, a matter that has divided opinion across the Western region. Many residents and political observers now believe that the raid may be linked to Natembeya’s growing vocal stance on national issues, particularly those affecting Western Kenya.
In a prophetic warning made earlier this year, Governor Natembeya had accused the EACC of being used as a political weapon to silence dissenting voices. “The fight against corruption is political,” he said during a county meeting. “EACC officers will raid your home with cartons disguised as evidence… their aim is to tarnish your image.”
That very statement is now being widely shared across social media platforms, with many of his supporters suggesting the governor saw the raid coming. Hashtags like #HandsOffNatembeya and #EACCPolitics are trending as Kenyans react to what many are calling a blatant act of intimidation.
Security at the Milimani estate remains tight, with reinforcements from Kitale Police Station being deployed to contain the situation. However, local leaders have raised concerns about potential human rights violations and are calling for transparency in the investigation.
As the country watches the developments in Trans Nzoia unfold, political analysts warn that the raid may trigger a wider backlash, especially in counties where governors have recently clashed with national agencies over controversial economic policies.
