Trans Nzoia officials arrested for obstructing anti-corruption officers- EACC
The commission said the arrests followed an incident on May 19, when EACC officers, backed by a court order, searched the governor’s Kitale home as part of a corruption investigation.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has said it arrested several Trans Nzoia County officials for interfering with a lawful anti-corruption operation at Governor George Natembeya’s residence.
The commission said the arrests followed an incident on May 19, when EACC officers, backed by a court order, searched the governor’s Kitale home as part of a corruption investigation.
According to EACC, the operation was aimed at collecting evidence linked to alleged procurement fraud, abuse of office, bribery, and the acquisition of Sh1.46 billion during the 2022 to 2025 financial years.
The commission said the operation was disrupted after MCAs and senior officials incited members of the public.
"During the operation, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) and senior county officials incited the public, resulting in the obstruction of officers, assault on law enforcement, and vandalism of five government vehicles valued at Sh12.1 million," the statement read.
The DCI then conducted further investigations, leading to the arrest of 24 suspects, who have already been charged at the Kitale Law Courts.
One more person was arrested on Monday, and two others were detained outside Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday during Natembeya’s court appearance.
The three will be arraigned at Kitale Law Courts on June 4.
The Tuesday arrests caused a stir outside the Milimani court.
Videos posted online captured one of the county officials being dragged away by plainclothes officers as a colleague protested the action.
"EACC affirms that it will not tolerate obstruction of justice or destruction of public property in the execution of its lawful mandate," the commission said.
Natembeya is facing three charges: unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, and indirectly benefiting from public funds.
He was released on May 20 on a Sh1 million bond or Sh500,000 bail.
The court imposed strict conditions for his release, including a travel ban unless approved by the court and an order barring him from accessing his office.
On Tuesday, the magistrate expressed concern over delays by the prosecution in submitting its documents and ordered that all materials be provided by June 16. "Those documents and statements ought to have been supplied by now... I therefore direct the prosecution to comply with the earlier orders," the court ruled.
