Nyutu attributes Natembeya’s plight to Ruto fearing Luhya kingpin
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has claimed that President William Ruto is fearful of the emergence of a new kingpin in the Luhya nation, terming it a factor behind the drama surrounding the arrest and arraignment in court of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
Speaking to a local TV station on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Nyutu attributed the former regional commissioner’s predicaments to a war against the governor’s mounting political clout.
Nyutu claims that the governor’s emergence as a political force in the region, over and beyond Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, has ruffled feathers.
“On the issue of Natembeya’s issue is about the kingship in the Mulembe Nation. President Ruto doesn’t want Luhya to have a kingship. He knows the impact and consequences it will have in the 2027 elections. He would rather have Wetangula and Mudavadi remain there, as he has been able to manage the two. Natembeya is coming out as a Luhya kingpin, one who is independent-minded and one who can’t be compromised. That is where the war is,” Nyutu stated.
Similarly, Nyutu also explained why other governors deemed vocal critics of the Kenya Kwanza regime have not met with the same plight as that of Natembeya.
In his analogy, he pointed out that the president is less bothered by opposition from regions where an established leadership already exist, citing the example of Nyanza.
“In Luo land, there is an established kingship. So Ruto does not feel threatened by Orengo and Nyong’o, but he feels threatened by Governor Natembeya, and that is why he has suffered,” he added.
The senator further castigated the arresting authorities over their conduct, citing his displeasure with the public handcuffing of the governors and other top officials.
“The government should be ashamed. Why do we stage this dramatic arrest of governors? You handcuff a governor just because of corruption charges. You handcuff dangerous criminals. Just issue a summons against a sitting governor, and they will appear before EACC and DCI. These are not fugitives,” he added.
The governor, who was arrested on Monday at his home in Kitale, was released a day later on a bond of Ksh1 million with one surety or he pays a cash bail of Ksh500,000 with two contact persons.
