Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has urged President William Ruto to halt security operations in the county, saying some residents are being affected by the way the operation is being conducted.
Natembeya said the President should direct Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to stop the operation, which he says has raised concerns over alleged human rights violations.
More than 300 suspects have been arrested and taken to court on what the governor says are charges aimed at intimidating residents due to his political stance.
Natembeya claimed that security officers from one ethnic group had been deployed in the region to harass residents and settle political scores.
However, county commissioner Gideon Oyagi denied that innocent people were being harassed by the security teams, saying security matters should not be politicised.
The governor raised concern over what he termed “arbitrary arrests of residents”.
He spoke following the arrest of suspects, mostly youths, whom police say are linked to goonism and insecurity in the region.
Natembeya said he was ready to put his life on the line to protect residents of Trans Nzoia.
“If they want to look for votes, let them engage in politics openly and not use police to intimidate our people. That will not work,” he said.
Early this month, the Interior CS visited the county where he accused Natembeya of blocking development by refusing to work with the national government.
“President (William) Ruto has been willing to work with the county on matters of development, but Natembeya has rejected development programmes for Trans Nzoia,” Murkomen said.
In response, the governor said he has no power or capacity to block the President from visiting the county for any kind of activity.
He said his political stand was part of his constitutional rights and should not be used to intimidate residents or silence those opposed to the Kenya Kwanza government.
Natembeya, who spoke in Kwanza, said being in the opposition was not criminal.
