Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya/SCREENGRABTrans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has said his faith in God and the support of residents remain his greatest sources of reassurance following the withdrawal of his security detail, a move he claims was made without prior communication.
Speaking on Thursday, Natembeya confirmed that security officers attached to him from the National Police Service had been withdrawn.
He claimed the officers were removed without prior communication but maintained that the development would not undermine his sense of safety.
“They didn’t have the courtesy to tell me,” Natembeya said.
The governor, however, played down the withdrawal, noting that millions of Kenyans go about their daily lives without dedicated security personnel.
“For me, really, it’s not a big deal. I know I’m entitled to security, but not every Kenyan has security attached to them. The way Kenyans have survived is the same way I will survive,” he said.
In a separate statement, Natembeya expressed appreciation for the security officers who had served him, saying his faith and the support of residents remained his greatest sources of reassurance.
“While I deeply appreciate the dedication and service of our security officers, I remain firmly convinced that my ultimate protection comes from God. I have faith in Him, and I feel safe among the people of Trans Nzoia, whose love, solidarity, and support mean more to me than anything else,” he said.
The withdrawal comes amid a public exchange between the governor and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who defended the decision and said Natembeya was associating with individuals he described as goons and planning violence.
Speaking in Elgeyo-Marakwet County during President William Ruto’s tour of the region, Murkomen said the government would not allow politicians to misuse officers assigned to protect them to facilitate violence.
“Political goonism must be finished. There are politicians who are enjoying the security provided by the government. They have police officers but still plan violence,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen specifically claimed Natembeya was maintaining links with people he described as goons while continuing to receive government-provided security.
“He wants to have police officers, and at the same time he is planning violence. We will not allow any politician to use government offices and government security to plan violence.”
Murkomen further maintained that officials in charge of the country’s security would not be intimidated as they addressed what he described as political violence.
“We will stand firm and not be intimidated as those in charge of the security sector,” he added.
Natembeya, however, appeared keen to avoid escalating the matter, indicating that he would continue relying on his faith and the support of Trans Nzoia residents.
This is not the first time Natembeya has reported the withdrawal of his security detail, with a similar incident reported in November last year.
