The High Court has temporarily suspended criminal proceedings against Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who is facing graft-related charges.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, 5th June 2025, Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued a conservatory order halting the case until the court hears and determines a petition filed by the governor challenging the legality of his prosecution.
The order affects the ongoing Anti-Corruption Case Number E024 of 2025 at the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court, in which Natembeya is accused of conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public property amounting to Ksh4.2 million.
The petition argues that Natembeya’s constitutional rights were violated, prompting the court to stay the case and direct that all parties, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), be served with the order by 9th June 2025.
Constitutional lawyer Joshua Malidzo told Kenyans.co.ke that the ruling also suspends earlier court orders barring the governor from accessing his office, leaving the country, or commenting publicly on the case.
Natembeya, who was charged on 20th May, denied all counts and was released on a Ksh1 million bond or Ksh500,000 cash bail. The prosecution claims he benefited financially from businesses trading with the county between January 2023 and April 2025.
The matter will now proceed for inter partes hearing as the court considers the governor’s petition.