Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has responded to claims made by Kimani Ichung’wa, the Member of Parliament for Kikuyu Constituency and Leader of the Majority Party in the National Assembly, that he was in charge of abductions during the previous regime when he served as the police boss for the entire Rift Valley Region.
Before he was elected Governor, Ichung’wa alleged, Natembeya was fully aware of the mysterious disappearances and killings of tens of Kenyans whose bodies were later discovered in River Yala since he was the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner at the time.
“We will not allow the politics of division that you and Rigathi Gachagua continue to spread,” Ichung’wah declared, referring to the former Deputy President. “We sent him home because of his tribal politics. Gachagua, your leader in tribal divisions, is the one orchestrating abductions and then blaming President William Ruto. We know what you are doing, and we will not let you continue.
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“And don’t think you can intimidate us. When people were being killed and dumped in River Yala, you were the Regional Commissioner in charge of the abductions and killings,” Ichung’wah said during the funeral service of Mama Anne Nanyama Wetang’ula, mother of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, in Kabuchai, Bungoma County.
At the funeral, both leaders were in attendance, including the President. Ichung’wa’s rant came after Natembeya had spoken, requesting the Head of State to end abductions. Painting them as real and implicating the government as a major player, the Trans Nzoia Governor refuted earlier claims made at the same burial by Francis Atwoli, Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU). Atwoli had asserted that the abducted youths were abducting and killing themselves for money from NGOs, adding that he was confident of this since he had worked with many organisations worldwide.
“I say this with a very heavy heart. For a leader to stand here and say people are abducting and killing themselves is unfortunate. This is not fitting for these hallowed grounds,” Natembeya said, disproving Atwoli’s statement. “Our children are getting lost. They are being abducted, and others are being killed. That is the reality. We should not cover up the basic truth. Even you, Mr President, have acknowledged this. We want abductions to end because Kenya is big enough for all of us.”
Since the funeral ended before he had another chance to speak, Natembeya responded to Ichung’wa via a press release:
“Let it be known that George Natembeya served as a diligent, honest, and truthful servant of the people of Kenya. A position I earned through merit and hard work, I resigned as the Regional Commissioner without any stain or scandal.
“My commitment as a Regional Commissioner endeared me to the esteemed people of Trans Nzoia, who nurtured me to become their second Governor. I want my fellow Kenyans to know that the reason some political leaders saw it fit to insult me was because I boldly told the President to order an end to abductions and command the release of the abducted youths.
“The families of these abducted youths are undergoing untold trauma, not knowing the whereabouts of their children. Unfortunately, without respect for these families, some political leaders are trying to divert this matter of national concern by insulting me with their frivolous allegations.”
Natembeya continued in the statement: “These politicians lack emotional intelligence because they get carried away by euphoric cheers senselessly, without assessing the unforeseen consequences of their loose mouths. I condemn these shameful utterances in the strongest terms possible.”
He added that his remarks should not be misconstrued as undermining President Ruto’s work.
“We all have a duty to remind state organs to adhere to the rule of law and the principles of our constitution,” Natembeya stated, concluding with a promise to “continue speaking boldly without fear” until the abductions of youths in the country are brought to an end.
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