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Natembeya home raid: Irate crowd vandalises EACC, police cars
Four vehicles belonging to the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) and police were vandalised by irate youths who resisted a search at Governor George Natembeya's Milimani home in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County.
A vehicle believed to belong to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) which were vandalised by youths reacting to a raid on the home of Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya in Kitale on May 19, 2025.
Tension was high and chaotic scenes were witnessed during the Monday morning raid.
Anti-riot police who had escorted the EACC team helplessly watched as rowdy youths deflected the tires of five vehicles that were parked outside the governor’s home.
Crowds started building at the gate of the governor’s home after word of the raid spread, and soon thereafter irate youths attempted to force their way into the gated residential area in protest.
Heavy deployment of police officers outside Governor Natembeya 's home.
Top county government officials led by County Secretary Truphosa Amere, CECs and the governor’s aides were at the scene during the raid.
Francis Wangila, a neighbor to the governor said a convoy of five vehicles drove into the Governor's home at 5am and started to map the area.
"The team arrived in a convoy of five vehicles at 5amand the officers tried to gain entry into the compound but residents opposed," he said.
According to Mr Wangila, residents who had trooped into the governor's home stopped the officers from advancing to the house.
The governor's spouse Lilian Natembeya was at the home during the raid.
“The residents blocked the officers from accessing the governor's home until they produced a search warrant,” his neighbour said.
It was after the officers produced the court order that the residents allowed them in, after consultation with the Governor on the phone as he was said to be away in Nairobi.
Highway chaos
A section of local residents then went on a rampage, lighting bonfires and barricading Kitale-Eldoret Road.
Anti-riot police put out a bonfire lit on Kitale-Eldoret Road by supporters of Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya on May 19, 2025.
There were running battles outside the governor's home and n the highway as some youths stubbornly refused to disperse.
Journalists were not spared as the officers threw tear gas at a nearby hotel where the scribes had gathered.
Police remove barricades placed on Kitale-Eldoret Road by supporters of Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya on May 19, 2025.
Probe on procurement irregularities
According to a press release by EACC, they are investigating allegations of procurement irregularities, abuse of office, bribery and fraudulent acquisition of public funds totaling Sh1.4 billion at the Trans Nzoia County Government.
The alleged irregularities and fraudulent payments span the 2022 to 2025 Financial Years.
The investigations relate to three major county projects: Rehabilitation and Modernisation of Kenyatta Stadium (Phase 1A), Construction of the Trans Nzoia County Headquarters Offices and Construction of Tom Mboya Hospital.
EACC officers' cars deflated by angry residents outside Governor Natembeya's home.
Former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and several MCAs arrived at the governor's home during the raid.
Mr Wamalwa confirmed that the Governor was not at home at the time.
Residents light a bonfire outside the main entrance of Governor Natembeya's home.
“I have talked to the Governor and he is safe somewhere in Nairobi. This is the worst intimidation by the government,” he said during an interview.
Some journalists were roughed up and manhandled by the rowdy youth while taking pictures of the situation.