Natembeya, Khalwale’s Security Withdrawn

The government has withdrawn security detail attached to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeyaand the Senate Majority Whip Dr Boni Khalwale in the early hours of Wednesday, November 26, 2025, leaving them without protection. Natembeya confirmed that all six elite officers, including his driver, were recalled and instructed to report to the nearest police station. Khalwale has decried the withdrawal of his security details as political tensions rise in the devolved unit ahead of the scheduled by-election in Malava Constituency on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Khalwale claims his security detail has been withdrawn and alleges a plot to arrest him ahead of tomorrow's by-elections. He links this action to his strong stance against certain senior government officials. Taking to his social media pages on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the vocal Kakamega Senator said his security details were withdrawn without explanation. “I received reports from my officers that they had been instructed to go to the nearest camp. Those from the GSU are to report to the nearest camp. My driver was asked to report to the nearest police station. Now, I don’t have any security officers with me or at my residences,” Natembeya said in an interview. Asked why his bodyguards were recalled, the former powerful Rift Valley Regional Commander said President William Ruto should be asked. “Mimi sijui ni kwa nini walitolewa. Hiyo uliza Ruto (I don’t know why they were withdrawn, ask Ruto),”” responded Natembeya. The tough-talking county boss said that based on his levels of threat, the government ought to have enhanced his security detail. “You know, someone is given security officers depending on their level of threats. I don’t know if threats have reduced or what has happened. Based on what happened on Saturday when we were shot, common sense dictates that I should have been given more security officers,” he said. Political pundits argue that the intention of withdrawing the county boss’ security is to intimidate him before the highly charged Malava Constituency by-elections scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025. However, the self-declared opposition leader said withdrawal of his bodyguards will not intimidate him. “I want to assure them that they will not succeed in their efforts to compromise my fight against bad governance and liberation of my people from political slavery,” added the governor. Speaking to the press at Suam One Stop Border Post, Ministry of Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo downplayed the withdrawal of Natembeya’s bodyguards. “I don’t think this is the right forum to respond to that, and if, for whatever reason, there are any issues around the security of the governor, I think the best place to address it is with our security officers who have direct responsibility under the command of the Inspector General,” Omollo told reporters.