By Kabaraji Richard
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has finally broken his silence over a summons against him issued by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
NCIC on Monday asked Natembeya to appear before it over an existing rift between him and his deputy – Philemona Kapkory.
The differences are said to have emanated from an ongoing push for the creation of Mount Elgon County.
Speaking on Tuesday during a public event, the county boss said he would honour the NCIC summons.
“I do not fear anyone and will present myself before NCIC to prove my innocence,” Natembeya said.
NCIC chairperson Rev Samuel Kobia in summons to the former Rift Valley regional commissioner expressed concerns that the differences between the two were likely to fuel ethnic animosity in the cosmopolitan county.
Work for the people
But while he affirmed that he would honour the summons, Natembeya stood his ground that he would not allow the splitting of Trans Nzoia.
He insists his stand does not in any way amount to ethnic incitement.
“My history is known and anybody branding me as an inciter are idle persons who roams all over the place. Those accusations will not deter me from working for the people of Trans Nzoia,” he said.
In addition, Natembeya said that his personality cannot allow him to disobey any summons.
“If I refuse to go, they will say I am rude and I do not want to give them that room. I will honour their summon and any other summons from anybody so long as it does not break my back,” he said.
Natembeya’s statement comes at a time when a section of locals in Trans Nzoia County has accused NCIC of being used to distract the County boss.
Led by Trans Nzoia County Assembly Deputy Speaker Obed Mwale, the locals claim the matter is a result of some leaders unhappy with the recent opinion poll that ranked Natembeya the best-performing among the 47 governors.
“I want to send a strong message to Rev Samuel Kobia that he should desist from being used by the government and its sympathizers to intimidate our governor and other politicians. Let him work for the betterment of this county,” Mwale told journalists in Kitale Town.
Derail development
The locals further want NCIC to handle its mandate professionally and not to be used to derail development by issuing what they described as unnecessary summons.
“Why summon him after being ranked number one from forty-seven? They have an ill motive as he has greatly changed the landscape of our county,” noted Nelly Barasa, a resident of Nabiswa ward.
Natembeya is set to appear before NCIC next Tuesday to shed light on among other things, his strained relationship with his deputy.
The DG in October claimed the governor’s staff were threatening her and requested to work from the Nairobi office until the matter was addressed.
