Transport on the Eldoret-Kitale highway and activities in Kitale Town have come to a standstill after residents took to the streets to protest the apprehension of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
In videos circulating online, the residents were seen blocking the road using stones and tyres, preventing motorists from using the busy road.
However, minutes later, police officers intervened and dispersed the residents and later unblocked the road.
The residents of Trans Nzoia further stormed Kitale town, where they were heard singing songs of praise to the governor and the national anthem, "Natembeya, we love you so much, forever," the residents sang repeatedly.
Officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) raided the governor's home in Kitale earlier on Monday, May 19.
Following the raid, residents of the county flocked to the scene and confronted the officers while chanting the governor's signature slogan, 'Tawe Movement'.
During the confrontation, the security officers, who were mainly from the anti-riot squad, had a difficult time containing the situation, which led to additional reinforcements being deployed to prevent possible escalation.
The supporters are said to have deflated the tyres of five vehicles belonging to DCI, EACC officials camping at the governor's home.
In a statement, the EACC confirmed that today's raid had targeted the home of the Governor and four others concerning alleged irregular procurement and fictitious payments of Ksh1.4 billion by the County Government of Trans-Nzoia during the Financial Years 2022/2023 and 2024/2025.
EACC further confirmed that the investigations focused on three major projects awarded by the county government: the rehabilitation and modernisation of Kenyatta Stadium (phase 1A), the construction of the Trans-Nzoia County headquarters offices, and the construction of Tom Mboya Hospital.
According to EACC, the officials had recovered critical evidence that they say will be used to prosecute the Governor.
"The Commission is probing allegations of money laundering and accumulation of unexplained wealth by senior county officials, accused of being part of a broader scheme to conceal the proceeds of crime,'' the commission said in a statement on Monday, May 19.
