NAKURU,Kenya, Jan, 12 – No-nonsense, firm and astute are some of the superlatives used by some to describe former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natemebeya who Wednesday officially hanged his boots – ending an illustrious 25 year career as a public administrator to join the competitive world of politics.
“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,” said Natembeya.
As he gingerly moves from the realm of the known to the unknown, Natembeya says that nothing frightens him and that no one will scare him from realising his dream of becoming the next Trans Nzoia governor.
Symbolically Natembeya said that he will no longer wear his official police uniform and will instead substitute it with something more ‘endearing’ befitting the new role he intends to conquer.
“I am officially removing my uniform today, I will not wear it again, unless under very extraordinary circumstances in the future. From today I am not the RC Rift Valley. A replacement will take over this week or next week and we will do an official handover,” he said.
Critics of the the gubernatorial aspirant have in recent weeks dared him to resign as an administrator citing an unfair advantage, in terms of using government resources to launch his bid while also testing his resolve to see whether he can withstand the proverbial ‘political heat’ on the ground.
Now that it is official, Natembeya quipped that he is looking forward to seeing what his competitors will say and do as they will no doubt bump heads in the political arena.
The Rift Valley Regional Commissioner is the first high profile government official to resign from government amidst a rule demanding civil servants seeking political office to resign six months before the polls.
Two cases have meanwhile been filed at the High Court challenging the requirement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for civil servants seeking political office to resign by February 9,2022.
The Michuki Protege. The Student Becomes The Master?
In his half hour ‘goodbye’ speech Natembeya thanked president Uhuru Kenyatta, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i, PS Dr. Karanja Kibicho, Inspector General Of Police Hillary Mutyambai and DCI boss George Kinoti for their constant support and counsel while in the line of duty.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank President Uhuru Kenyatta for giving me the opportunity to be his officer, to supervise matters of the national government,supporting me for the last 2 and a half years. It is not an easy thing to receive the president’s support on various issue and he calls and when i call he is also availbel,” he said.
Noticeably however, Natembeya heaped praise on former Internal Security minister, the late John Michuki as a dear friend and mentor, further describing him as an uncompromising leader.
“When I was with Michuki,I learnt a lot from him, particularly how to do my work,He was old but he was the first one to arrive in the office and we used to work late night up to His press statements and circulars,I was the one writing them, even if I put a comma where it wasn’t supposed to be he used to correct it. He was very particular and very disciplined. Public interest was always the priority for him,” he said.
Natembeya reiterated the late Michuki’s commitment to public service saying that he would seek to embody his philosophy of never telling a lie saying that,”he used to say telling a lie was childish,”
The former RC worked for Michuki for at least four years.
Career Highlights
He rose through the ranks from district officer to Regional Commissioner.
He has previously served in Murang’a as a district commissioner where he spearheaded efforts in the fight against the outlawed group Mungiki which was terrorising residents in the area.
He would later be transferred to Isiolo where he developed policies against cattle rustling before being moved to Narok and led efforts to restore the Mau forest which was under encroachment.
As Rift Valley Regional Commissioner he continued his effort to restore the Mau and resttle IDPs while protecting the country’s water towers.
In recent years however he is most known for spearheading peace efforts in Laikipia where suspected bandits have killed residents and even police officers in areas bordering the Laikipia Nature Conservancy.
At the age of 50,he is considered arguably the youngest Regional Commissioner in the country. Meteorically rising through the ranks he now hopes to become governor on his first attempt.
Trans Nzoia Gubernatorial Race
Natembeya is seeking to succeed Governor Patrick Khaemba who is serving his last and final term.
The road ahead will however not be as rosy as he faces stiff competition from Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa,county Finance executive Boniface Wanyonyi, and Trans-Nzoia Woman Representative Janet Nangabo among others.
As part of his aspirations, Natembeya says that he will restore the county to become what it once was, Kenya’s bread basket.
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