Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has explained why he skipped the 12th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit convened by President William Ruto at State House on Wednesday, December 10.
The meeting brought together 46 governors to discuss the progress of devolution and ongoing cooperation between the National and County governments.
President Ruto emphasized that the partnership has strengthened service delivery and moved resources closer to communities across the country.
Governor Natembeya was the only county boss absent from the high-level summit.
After the meeting, the Trans Nzoia governor took to social media to address his absence.
According to the self-proclaimed Tawe Movement leader, he could not attend the summit because the national government had failed to comply with a court order concerning his security.
“We did not attend, because the government has refused to honour a valid court ruling directing the CS for Interior and IG Kanja to immediately reinstate our security,” Natembeya stated.
Natembeya’s security detail was withdrawn on November 26, just a day before the Malava by-election. Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s security was also withdrawn, and both leaders linked the move to politics.
The situation shifted last week when the High Court ruled in their favour.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye ordered the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to reinstate all officers assigned to protect Natembeya and Khalwale.
Despite the court directive, Natembeya said the reinstatement had not occurred by the time of the State House summit, prompting him to stay away from the meeting.
By Creatorhub