“The Senate also has been taken hostage. The National Assembly has been taken hostage. All government institutions, from the police to the military and Parliament.”
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya used those words to accuse President William Ruto of undermining independent institutions and concentrating power in the Executive.
Speaking during a radio interview on October 19, Natembeya questioned whether Parliament could still independently hold the President and his administration accountable.
He argued that institutions established to provide checks and balances on the Executive had lost their independence.
“The Senate also has been taken hostage,” he said, singling out the Upper House for what he described as its failure to effectively protect county governments.
Natembeya questioned whether senators could adequately defend devolution when the institution mandated to represent counties was, in his view, operating under the influence of the national government.
The governor also included the National Assembly in his criticism, accusing it of failing to provide an effective check on the President.
He extended his concerns to the security agencies, naming the police and military among the institutions he believes should operate independently of political interests.
The Constitution establishes Parliament as an independent arm of government, with responsibility for legislation, oversight and holding the Executive accountable.
The Senate, in particular, represents counties and protects their interests in national government decisions, including the allocation of revenue and legislation affecting devolution.
Natembeya's remarks come amid disagreements between county governments and the national administration over resources, funding and the management of devolved functions.
The governor has increasingly become one of Ruto's vocal critics, joining opposition leaders who accuse the President of concentrating power and weakening constitutional institutions.
His latest attack adds to the political confrontation between the national government and opposition figures as political alignments begin taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Natembeya's claims, however, have not been independently established. The governor did not provide specific evidence in the quoted remarks to support his assertion that Parliament and security agencies had been taken hostage.
