Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has dismissed claims that he had ditched Azimio Coalition and joined the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Responding to remarks from Bungoma County Woman Member of Parliament, Catherine Wambilianga, Natembeya said his membership in Azimio is intact.
“Mama Catherine, I am not in Kenya Kwanza as you alleged, rather I am still in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, the party that sponsored me to assent to power,” the governor said.
Addressing thousands of Kitale ACK Diocese faithful at Kitale ASK Showground during a funds drive for construction of eight floors complex, the first term Governor Natembeya stated that his good working relationship with the government should not be interpreted as having defected to the ruling party.
“There is a lot of difference between defecting from your party and working with the national government. Mine is working with the government of the day to ensure we develop this great county,” he added.
Natembeya was elected via the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ticket, a member of the Azimio coalition.
He was last week installed the deputy party leader.
Great balancing act
The County boss said it is unfair to conclude that he has joined Kenya Kwanza coalition, pointing out that not even President William Ruto had asked him to abandon his party.
“Our President Dr. William Ruto has never asked me to join his party because he knows Trans Nzoia is a cosmopolitan county that requires great balancing act,” said Natembeya.
In addition, the former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner said deciding to join Kenya Kwanza Alliance would be going against the wishes of thousands of voters who elected him under Azimio.
At the beginning of this year, Governor Natembeya and a delegation from Trans Nzoia visited the State House where they were hosted by President William Ruto.
The delegation presented a memorandum of development projects to be considered by the government in Trans Nzoia.
Natembeya said some bureaucrats have prevented him from accessing the 159 acres Kitale medium prison land to be used for expansion of the squeezed Kitale town.
“We agreed with President Ruto that my government raises Ksh50 million and he also adds Ksh50 million to facilitate construction of another prison and relocation of prisoners. However, some bureaucrats have bloated the amount to Ksh900 million shillings. Surely, where do I get such an amount?” Natembeya asked.
Natembeya criticized the bureaucrats saying their intention is to paint a negative image of President Ruto.
Surrendering of the land to the County government of Trans Nzoia has been a campaign tool since retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term in office.