Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has demanded an explanation from Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja after his security detail was withdrawn for the second time, just hours after President William Ruto toured the county.
The withdrawal was confirmed on Thursday by the governor and his communications director Felix Sialo, who said the officers assigned to Natembeya had been recalled following the President’s visit to Trans Nzoia on Wednesday.
Natembeya questioned the circumstances surrounding the decision and called on the Inspector-General to explain the legal and administrative basis for withdrawing his security.
“I do not claim immunity from lawful security reviews. What I insist upon is that any such review must be conducted professionally, objectively and in accordance with the Constitution, without discrimination or improper political influence,” Natembeya said.
The governor said the latest move marked the second time his official security had been withdrawn, reviving questions over how security arrangements for elected state officers are reviewed.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of a 2025 High Court ruling that found the withdrawal of police protection from governors without prior written notice, an opportunity to be heard and written reasons violated Article 47 of the Constitution on fair administrative action.
In the May 29, 2025 judgment, the court declared such withdrawals unconstitutional and unlawful where due process had not been followed.
Natembeya was also directly affected by a separate security row in November 2025, when his guards were withdrawn. The High Court subsequently issued orders directing authorities to reinstate his security and restraining them from detrimentally altering the arrangement pending determination of the case.
The latest withdrawal comes amid heightened political differences between Natembeya and President Ruto.
During his North Rift development tour, Ruto has publicly criticised Natembeya and his Tawe movement, accusing the governor of frustrating national government development projects in Trans Nzoia.
Natembeya has rejected the accusations and maintained that the national government has a constitutional obligation to deliver services regardless of political differences.
There was no immediate public explanation from the National Police Service on the latest withdrawal.
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