Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has announced that he will return to the state all the honours awarded to him by the government following the latest scuffles with state agencies.
The governor, a former regional administrator, revealed that he will return the awards, among them the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) and the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS), accolades granted for distinguished public service.
Natembeya revealed that the Ethics and Anti-Graft Commission had even taken them away during their raid at his home in Kitale last month.
On why he was returning the honours, the vocal critic of the Kenya Kwanza and self-christened leader of the Tawe Movement stated that they had been tainted by the graft accusations levelled against him by the EACC.
Additionally, the governor of Trans Nzoia County, known for his tough demeanour yet almost soft-spoken manner, revealed that he was on the verge of receiving another honour—the Elder of the Golden Heart award, which had been given to all other governors, with him conspicuously missing out due to perceived political feuds.
''I plan to return them to Harambee House,'' Natembeya declared in an interview with Citizen Digital.
''How can I carry the title of a state honouree while being paraded in court over corruption allegations? It makes no sense. Those honours have been tainted. The EACC even took them during their raids. I no longer want them."
The governor was apprehended and charged on May 21 with two counts of graft and conflict of interest involving over Ksh3 million in payments linked to county suppliers.
The prosecution claims he unlawfully received money from individuals and businesses working with the Trans Nzoia County Government.
He was also charged with two counts of conflict of interest under the Anti-Graft and Economic Crimes Act, 2003. The prosecution told the court that during the same period, Natembeya acquired indirect financial benefits of Ksh1.12 million and Ksh2.12 million from individuals whose businesses traded with the county government.
He, however, denied the charges, even as the prosecution maintained that the Ksh4.2 million he allegedly received was linked to county tenders.
He was released on a Ksh500,000 cash bail or a Ksh1 million bond after appearing before Nairobi Anti-graft Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki.
However, the High Court on June 5 issued temporary orders suspending the conviction proceedings against Natembeya.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Bahati Mwamuye, the court suspended the case pending the determination of a petition that Natembeya had filed challenging the charges that have been brought against him.
