George Natembeya has, on Wednesday, January 12, resigned from office as Rift Valley Regional Commissioner to focus on his political ambitions.
Natambeya, on Tuesday, revealed that he would be quitting the police force after 25 years of service to start preparing for his next career as a politician.
The regional police boss is eyeing the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial seat in the August general elections.
“I will on Wednesday formally announce my resignation to focus on politics as l seek the backing of residents of Trans Nzoia to become their governor,” Natembeya announced.
Natembeya said that he is tendering his resignation weeks before the February 9 deadline when civil servants eyeing political seats are expected to quit their positions so that he can have time to teach his rivals in the political race a lesson ahead of the general elections.
“My rivals have been asking me to quit office and face them in Trans Nzoia. As from Wednesday, I will hang my boots to teach them about leadership,” he said.
He, therefore, becomes the first high-ranking government official to resign from office and officially join the political world.
Though he is the first, there are several civil servants including Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Head of State Corporations among others who are expected to resign to focus on politics in the coming weeks.
These state officers, according to the law, are expected to resign from public office six months before the date of the election.
Natembeya is seeking to succeed Governor Patrick Khaemba who is serving his last term as Trans Nzoia Governor.
He will, however, face Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, long-serving Khaemba cabinet member and Finance executive Boniface Wanyonyi, and Trans-Nzoia Woman Representative Janet Nangabo.
Others competing for the same seat include former Agriculture executive Andrew Wanyonyi, businessman Moses Khaoya and Philemon Samoei.
Also said to be in the race are Abraham Singoei and Maurice Bisau, both of whom work in the office of Deputy President William Ruto.
Governor Khaemba is completing his second and final term.
