Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has secured a temporary reprieve after the High Court suspended criminal proceedings against him in a corruption case pending the outcome of a constitutional petition he has filed.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued the conservatory orders on Wednesday, June 5, 2025, halting the ongoing anti-corruption case at the Milimani Chief Magistrates’ Court in Nairobi. The suspension comes after Natembeya moved to court challenging the legality of the charges against him, citing violations of his constitutional rights.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the petitioner/applicant’s Notice of Motion Application dated 05/06/2025, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued staying the criminal proceedings in Nairobi, Milimani Chief Magistrates’ Anti-Corruption Case Number E024 of 2025,” ruled Justice Mwamuye.
Natembeya, through his legal team comprising Dan Maanzo, Ken Aseka, Jimmy Wanjigi, and George Wajackoyah, argues that the case is politically motivated and procedurally flawed. He filed the petition shortly after being released on a Ksh1 million bond or a cash bail of Ksh500,000 on May 20.
He had initially been barred from accessing his office, traveling outside the country without court permission, or commenting on the case publicly. However, constitutional lawyer Joshua Malidzo told Kenyans.co.ke that all previous restrictions have now been set aside, pending the determination of the High Court petition.
The governor is accused of corruption-related offenses involving Ksh4.2 million allegedly acquired through procurement dealings with the Trans Nzoia County government between January 2023 and April 2025. Charges include two counts of conflict of interest and one count of unlawful acquisition of public property, under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) alleges that Natembeya received Ksh1.12 million and Ksh2.12 million through individuals whose businesses were in contract with the county. He has denied all charges.
The court directed that the petition and all accompanying documents be served to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the ODPP by June 9, 2025.
Natembeya, a prominent critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration, maintains that the charges are a tactic to derail his leadership.
