Governor Natembeya freed on Ksh.500K cash bail in Ksh.3.2M graft case

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been released on a Ksh.1 million bond or an alternative cash bail of Ksh.500,000 after denying corruption charges involving the alleged unlawful acquisition of over Ksh.3.2 million in county funds.

Appearing before Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki, Natembeya pleaded not guilty to charges related to the unlawful acquisition of public property and conflict of interest tied to payments made by the County Government of Trans Nzoia to three private companies between January 2023 and April 2025.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) alleges that the Governor benefited indirectly from payments amounting to Ksh.3,252,568 made to Lyma Agro Science Limited, Maira Stores, and Easterly Winds Limited, firms that had business dealings with the county government.

According to court documents, the prosecution contends that Natembeya acquired an indirect pecuniary interest of Ksh.1,127,900 from Mercy Chelangat—the director of Lyma Agro Science and proprietor of Maira Stores—and a further Ksh.2,124,668 from Emmanuel Wafula Masungo, the beneficial owner of Easterly Winds Limited.

In total, the Governor faces three charges, including two counts of conflict of interest under Section 42(3) as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.

Magistrate Ondieki also imposed several restrictions on Natembeya as a condition of his release, including a 60-day bar from accessing his office, a travel ban unless cleared by the court, and a strict gag order barring him from discussing the case publicly or through the media. He was also warned against any attempts to interfere with witnesses.

The court directed the prosecution to supply all documentary evidence to the defense by June 3, 2025 at 9am, when the case will be mentioned for a pre-trial conference.