Reprieve for Natembeya, Khalwale as High Court restores security

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale have secured a major reprieve after the High Court issued orders stopping the withdrawal or alteration of their security detail.

In the ruling, the court restrained the respondents from “detrimentally varying the security detail and arrangements of the 1st Interested Party and the 2nd Interested Party, in terms of the numbers, composition, and particulars as they existed immediately before the impugned actions.”

The orders were issued pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Notice of Motion dated November 28, 2025, following a petition filed by the Centre for Litigation Trust.

In addition, the court granted a conservatory order compelling Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchuma Murkomen to immediately reinstate and restore the security arrangements for the two leaders to the exact state they were in before the changes were made.

The directive ensures that Governor Natembeya and the Khalwale continue to enjoy full security protection as the matter proceeds in court.

The Centre for Litigation Trust, in its petition, argued that the two leaders’ security was abruptly removed, exposing them to potential harm given the nature of their official duties.

The petitioner further claimed that the withdrawal was intended to intimidate the county leaders into changing their political beliefs and affiliations.

The petition stated that while Governors and Senators continue to enjoy security provided by the National Police Service (NPS), the two leaders had been singled out and left vulnerable.

According to the filings, neither of the two was charged with any offence nor notified of any investigations that would justify the action.

The petitioner described the move by the Inspector General of Police as retaliatory and whimsical, asserting that it is calculated to bully and intimidate the leaders. 

The court was told that such actions, if not checked, may erode public trust and undermine constitutional democracy.

"The acts of the respondents are thereby whimsical and calculated to bully and intimidate the 1st and 2nd interested parties as the Governor of Trans Nzoia and Senator of Kakamega county…” read court papers.