The corruption case against Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been postponed to January 2026.
The matter, which came up for mention virtually on November 18, 2025, was scheduled to confirm the status of the High Court case that had earlier halted the criminal proceedings.
The court was informed that the High Court matter has not yet been finalized, prompting the parties to request additional time to allow for its conclusion.
Magistrate Zipporah Gichana subsequently directed that the case be heard on January 26, 2026.
In June this year, the High Court suspended the corruption case against Governor Natembeya. In his ruling, Justice Bahati Mwamuye stayed the proceedings pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Notice of Motion dated June 5, 2025.
Governor Natembeya had been charged in May 2025 at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi with corruption-related offences linked to alleged illegal financial dealings. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Charles Ondieki, he pleaded not guilty to three counts, including conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public property, contrary to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003. The charges relate to a total amount of Ksh 3.2 million.
In the first count, Natembeya is accused of receiving Ksh 1,127,900 from Mercy Chelongat, the director of Lyma Agro Science Limited and proprietor of Maira Stores.
In the second count, he is alleged to have indirectly benefited from Ksh 2.1 million through an individual identified as Emmanuel Wafula Masungo,the county’s Chief Finance Officer and a close associate of the governor. Masungo has also been charged with unlawful acquisition of public funds through a company under his control.
According to the prosecution, the governor is alleged to have received kickbacks from companies doing business with the county government. The funds were allegedly funneled through Masungo, who is said to have received payments from contractors and transferred them to the governor via mobile money.
The first charge alleges that between January 1, 2023, and April 30, 2025, Governor Natembeya received Ksh 1.1 million from Mercy Chelangat, whose companies were trading with the county government.
The second charge states that he received Ksh 2.1 million from Mr. Masungo during the same period. Masungo is said to be the beneficial owner of Easterly Winds Ltd, another company doing business with the county.
The third charge accuses the governor of unlawfully acquiring Ksh 3.2 million through payments made to Lyma Agro Science Ltd, Maira Stores, and Easterly Winds Ltd, despite being in a position of conflict of interest.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) claims the scheme involved contractors making payments to Mr. Masungo, who then transferred the funds to the governor through M-Pesa.
