Kitale, Kenya – May 19, 2025 — Tensions escalated dramatically in Trans Nzoia County on Monday morning after Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers, accompanied by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), launched a surprise raid on the Milimani residence of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
The early morning operation sparked chaos outside the governor’s home, as word of the raid quickly spread. A large crowd of supporters and curious residents began to gather, with many openly expressing solidarity with the outspoken county boss. Among the first prominent leaders to arrive at the scene was Democratic Action Party – Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, whose appearance was met with thunderous applause and loud cheers from the emotionally charged crowd.
Reports from eyewitnesses say that EACC officers were seen entering the residence carrying several unlabelled boxes, fueling speculation about the nature and purpose of the raid. The reason for the search remains unclear, as no official statement has been issued by the EACC at the time of publishing.
In a dramatic twist, rowdy youths in the area, angered by the presence of the state officers, resorted to deflating the tyres of five vehicles belonging to the DCI and EACC teams. The damaged vehicles were left immobilized outside the compound as tension boiled over.
“The people are tired of political witch-hunts. We will not allow our governor to be intimidated,” shouted one protester, who declined to be named for safety reasons. Others could be heard chanting anti-EACC slogans and calling the raid a politically motivated act.
The incident comes just days after Governor Natembeya led a massive protest opposing the controversial sale of the government-owned Nzoia Sugar Company, a matter that has divided opinion across the Western region. Many residents and political observers now believe that the raid may be linked to Natembeya’s growing vocal stance on national issues, particularly those affecting Western Kenya.
In a prophetic warning made earlier this year, Governor Natembeya had accused the EACC of being used as a political weapon to silence dissenting voices. “The fight against corruption is political,” he said during a county meeting. “EACC officers will raid your home with cartons disguised as evidence… their aim is to tarnish your image.”
That very statement is now being widely shared across social media platforms, with many of his supporters suggesting the governor saw the raid coming. Hashtags like #HandsOffNatembeya and #EACCPolitics are trending as Kenyans react to what many are calling a blatant act of intimidation.
Security at the Milimani estate remains tight, with reinforcements from Kitale Police Station being deployed to contain the situation. However, local leaders have raised concerns about potential human rights violations and are calling for transparency in the investigation.
As the country watches the developments in Trans Nzoia unfold, political analysts warn that the raid may trigger a wider backlash, especially in counties where governors have recently clashed with national agencies over controversial economic policies.
Meanwhile, the EACC remains tight-lipped on the motive and findings of the raid, leaving the public with more questions than answers.
This is a developing story. Stay with k47 for the latest updates on the Natembeya-EACC standoff.
