Madaraka Day celebrations in Trans Nzoia County took a dramatic turn on Sunday, June 1, after a mass walkout by attendees disrupted the event just moments before President William Ruto’s speech was to be delivered.
Held at Lessos Primary School grounds, the event was already shrouded in controversy due to the absence of Governor George Natembeya and his deputy, Philomena Kapkory.
The county boss, facing a Ksh1.4 billion graft case, cited ongoing investigations and frustrations with national leadership as part of the reason he chose not to attend.
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In his place, Health CEC Sam Ojwang represented the county government. However, his efforts to hold the fort were undermined when residents openly expressed disapproval as County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi stepped forward to read the president’s speech on Ruto’s behalf.
Video footage captured by Kenyans.co.ke shows the crowd rising up in unison and exiting the venue, leaving behind a few National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and local officials.
While the reason for the walkout remains unofficial, growing dissatisfaction with the national government and mounting support for Governor Natembeya — who has styled himself as a bold critic of the current regime — are believed to have played a role.
In May, Natembeya was grilled by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged procurement irregularities, misuse of office, and fraudulent acquisition of public funds.
The dramatic raid at his Milimani residence in Kitale was met with resistance from supporters who reportedly vandalized EACC vehicles.
Despite the legal woes, Natembeya has continued to speak out. In remarks made in Kiminini on the morning of Madaraka Day, he questioned the value of attending national celebrations under the current circumstances.
“At the moment, I hold no position of power, so why should I attend celebrations of authority?” Natembeya asked, further accusing the government of pushing the country into a new form of colonialism marked by worsening poverty and disempowerment.
Meanwhile, President Ruto’s Madaraka Day speech — described as one of the longest in the event’s history — included key proposals such as a constitutional amendment to enable Kenyans to access up to Ksh5 million in low-interest mortgage loans.
However, these announcements did little to appease the crowd in Trans Nzoia, where political tensions appear to be intensifying.