Why I want to become Trans Nzoia governor - George Natembeya

Immediate former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya now says his decision to resign and vie for the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial seat was fueled by the desire to serve his county folk.

Natembeya stated that his venture into politics came after he identified a gap in the county’s leadership and thus wanted to offer his competence to develop the region.

“I just want to transfer my successes from the provincial administration in the national government to the county government,” Natembeya said in an interview with KTN News on Wednesday night.

“I want to offer a new kind of leadership that is going to transform people’s lives and to ensure objectives of the devolutions and the establishment of the county government are reached; basically, to lift the people out of poverty and empower them.”

He explained that his decision was informed since he has worked with politicians throughout the country and fully has insight into the challenges facing Trans Nzoia.

“My job has enabled me to travel across the country and have seen what needs to be done. I have seen counties which are doing well and others which are not doing very well,” he said.

Natembeya dismissed claims that he is bound to be corrupted by politics, terming such reports as fear-mongering that should not be given priority.

“There is this assumption that politics is dirty but the politicians are the ones who are dirty and not politics,” he said.

In addressing how he would be able to cope with service when he is used to instructing rather than listening to the people, Natembeya noted that his position as the commissioner has long been misunderstood.

He explained that he had been presiding over 'barazas' where he had to listen, consult and address challenges.

“Where need be, I act tough but I adjust to situations. I am not rigid. I also hold briefings before the conferences and my team is always well informed,” he explained.

Similarly, the former RC exuded confidence saying that his superiors; President Uhuru Kenyatta, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and PS Karanja Kibicho, appreciated his new move after handing in his resignation and stating his case.

He, however, pointed out that at first the CS was worried especially about his soon-to-be predecessor due to his exemplary performance but that he eventually understood.

“I explained to them that now I have served the nation and would want to serve my people. They were happy,” he stated.

Natembeya adds to a list of contestants seeking to succeed the current Governor Patrick Khaemba whose two-term reign comes to an end in August this year.

Among those who have already declared their intentions are; the county’s Finance CEC Boniface Wanyonyi, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, Trans Nzoia Woman Rep Janet Nangabo, former Agriculture CEC Andrew Wanyonyi, businessman Moses Khaoya, and Philomena Samoei.