A standoff is looming in Nairobi between the police and supporters of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who have turned up ahead of his arraignment in court over graft allegations.
The supporters of the county chief gathered outside the Milimani Law Courts, where Natembeya is appearing before the Anti-Graft Court, over allegations of fraud linked to the county government of Trans Nzoia County.
The protestors, mainly on motorbikes, have caused significant traffic disruption outside the court premises, with motorists forced to slow down amid their display of theatrics.
On Monday, the protestors caused mayhem and havoc in Kitale's Milimani estate, at the entrance of the governor's home, when they deflated and stoned vehicles belonging to the police agencies that had gone to apprehend the county boss.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, on Monday, announced that it had initiated an investigation into a violent incident that occurred in Kitale when EACC officers were obstructed while carrying out their official duties. Their vehicles are said to have been damaged during the incident.
''The attack is a blatant attempt to undermine the rule of law and obstruct justice. The DCI has launched investigations to identify and bring to book the perpetrators behind this attack,'' the DCI stated.
Natembeya, a vocal critic of the government, is facing four graft charges, including conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public funds.
The governor had pleaded not guilty before the court to the alleged graft charges after the prosecution claimed that he unlawfully received Ksh4.2 million linked to county contracts.
However, earlier at the beginning of the proceedings, Natembeya's lawyers, led by Eugene Wamalwa, raised concerns over what they indicated was a sinister move by the EACC to change particulars in the charge sheet.
According to Wamalwa, the EACC had initially indicated that the governor would be in the docks over a Ksh4.1 billion graft, only to get to be handed a charge sheet with the figures revised to Ksh.1.1 million and 2.1 million kickbacks allegations.
''In Anti-Graft Court No 1, with a team of 20 lawyers representing Governor George Natembeya, a surprising development from yesterday’s EACC Kenya allegations of Kshs 1.4 billion, the charges have changed after holding the Governor overnight to Ksh1.1 m and Ksh2.1m kickbacks?'' Wamalwa questioned.
Meanwhile, the case is currently before the antigraft court, where the governor is set to know whether he would be granted bail.
