Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya appeared before the Senate Agriculture, Blue Economy, and Livestock Committee on Thursday, June 5.

During the session, Natembeya firmly rejected attempts to be grilled by the committee, which was chaired by Bungoma senator David Wakoli.

The tension reached its peak when Natembeya cited a video, capturing Wakoli making highly prejudicial remarks at a recent public event in Bungoma county.

"You raised some issues over the weekend about my appearing here. You were very strongly worded. You basically said that you were going to persecute me here .You were assuring the speaker of the National Assembly and Kenyans at large to put their TV's on to hear how the Senate is going to grill me," Natembeya told Wakoli.

The video recorded at Cardinal Otunga Girls' High School during the Kenya Pipeline Company Foundation's handover of a new dormitory showed Wakoli pledging to grill Natembeya when he appears before lawmakers.

He urged Kenyans to closely follow the proceedings on television.

Wakoli also stirred controversy by making a religious reference, comparing Natembeya to Barrabas, the biblical figure who was pardoned while Jesus was crucified.

After the video was presented, Natembeya, clearly upset by the comments, called for Wakoli's recusal during the committee session. He argued that the senator had already made a judgment and could not lead the hearing fairly.

"The chair cannot be biased, and the chair cannot appear to be working on behalf of somebody who is not inside this committee. I am also a Bukusu man," Natembeya argued.

After Natembeya's comments and the video presentation, he agreed to step down from his role as chair and serve as a neutral committee member. He then requested Senator Tom Ojienda to assume the role of chair for the session.

This comes days after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested Natembeya.

On May 19, the anti-corruption agency issued a statement confirming that the arrest was connected to investigations into the irregular payment of KSh 1.4 billion by the county government.

However, on May 20, Anti-Corruption Magistrate C.N. Ondieki ruled in favour of Natembeya, granting him a KSh 500,000 cash bail, subject to several restrictions aimed at ensuring the integrity of the investigation.

The magistrate’s ruling included a 60-day ban on Natembeya accessing his office at the county headquarters, effectively preventing him from performing his official duties during this period.

In addition, he was prohibited from interfering with any witnesses involved in the case.

Natembeya was also forbidden from leaving the country without prior approval from the court, a measure designed to prevent flight risks.

Furthermore, the court instructed the governor not to make any public statements regarding the case, whether in the media or public forums, to avoid influencing public opinion or obstructing the legal process.

Natembeya pleaded not guilty to several charges related to corruption, including allegations of irregular payments exceeding KSh 6 million linked to county contracts.

According to the charge sheet, the governor faced four counts of misconduct: three charges of conflict of interest and one charge concerning the unlawful acquisition of public property.

Source: TUKO.co.ke