Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya during united opposition rally of Western Region. Photo: George Natembeya X.
Trans Nzoia county Governor George Natembeya is among few governors who have not travelled outside the country since taking office in 2022, stating that there is a lot of work to be done under governor’s office.
The vocal Luhya leader acknowledging the importance of making foreign trips oversees, said that a majority of leaders lack a tangible explanation of their visits, with benchmarking trips yielding nothing, as they are not applicable in Kenya.
“I have not travelled outside Kenya because there too much work to be done. I have seen my colleagues who have travelled to look for investors, but in most cases it is PR, as we have not seen these investors. Majority say its benchmarking, but they do not apply it,” he stated.
Citing the most compared country to Kenya Singapore, Natembeya said the country’s development strides cannot be implemented in Kenya following the nature of perceived politics currently in Kenya, stating that he prefers investors coming over to his county, instead of spending too much that could acquire less than expenses incurred.
According to him, the county is currently focused on meeting the problems by residents, other than travelling oversees. Clarifying his sentiments, Natembeya said that leaders within the county will cut on their oversees travels, if the county boss is sticking to his stand leading by example.
“As a county we are focusing on the problems of our people. Time to travel will come when the need arises. I cant say do not travel, but foreign travel is very expensive, you cannot tell people not to travel, and you are always travelling. So you basically lead by example,” he further explained.
The former RC further weighing on politics being perceived by Kenyans as a quick way to richness, and a sense of entitlement to lead but not as an act of service, is the genesis of leadership crisis in the country
“The sense of entitlement by some individuals id the beginning of challenges. How we see leadership especially in public space, people in other countries quit highs paying jobs to get into public space to serve, but in Kenya people see it as an employment opportunity,” he explained.
Natembeya further adding that many Kenyans get into leadership to have the ‘liberty to do what they want and to deliver the mandate that comes with the job, perceiving themselves as above the law.
His political stand putting him on the edge with a majority of leaders allied to President William Ruto, faulting him of questioning the Head of State’s directive, with Natembeya arguing Ruto to reconsider his political promises, as it could jeopardize the country’s security.
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