Trans Nzoia governor Natembeya says he is not free to mark Madaraka Day. His remarks come after skipping the 2025 Madaraka Day. Photo: George Natembeya X.
A day after Kenyans celebrated Madaraka Day, Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya has disclosed his reasons of not marking the day, after skipping celebrations held in Kitale town.
Speaking from his new office in Kiminini Constituency, Natembeya said he is not free and has no reason to attend the celebrations, as it is not what the founding fathers fought for from the colonialists, following his recent troubles.
“Mimi sina Madaraka, naenda kusherehekea nini? What will I tell my people about Madaraka Day as their governor? Is this what we fought for to gain freedom from the Whiteman?” Natembeya questioned.
According to Natembeya, we are not yet free as a country, as government still uses state institutions and machinery to intimidate dissenting voices, and his fight to restore the respect of the Luhya community. Referring to his ordeal after he was arrested and grilled by EACC officers, Natembeya said he cannot imagine what common mwananchi can go through in the hands of the officers.
The outspoken governor further stated that he might not be attending such occasions in the future, as it a form of fake comfort that as a nation we are free.
“If the state agencies and institutions to do what they did to me, what will they do to common mwananchi? So what are we celebrating? We have been cheating ourselves. I don’t think if I will ever attend such occasions,” Natembeya further remarked.
Natembeya skipped the celebrations, with his Chief Officer Samson Ojwang’ delivering his speech that emphasized on youth inclusivity, and targeted youth forums that will enhance interaction between the informed population and the leaders from the county.
However, during the event, Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi, had a hard time to calm down the residents, when he was about to read President William Ruto’s Madaraka Day speech, as a section of the residents staged a walkout as soon as he started delivering the speech.
President William Ruto led the country in marking the day in Homabay County at the Raila Odinga Stadium, with attendance from top government officials from the National Assembly and the Senate. ODM party leader was also among the invited dignitaries, as well as Slovenia President Natasa Pirc Musar, who was the only invited president in attendance.
