NCIC summons Natembeya as row with deputy governor deepens

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The differences between Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Deputy Governor Philomena Kapkory are far from over after the National Cohesion and Integration Commission(NCIC) summoned him over ethnic contempt.

NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia appeared before the Senate Devolution Committee following Kapkory's claims that she has been unable to return back to Trans Nzoia for fear of her security following threats by some junior county employees.

Dr Kobia told the committee chaired by Wajir Senator Sheikh Abbass sitting in Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, yesterday that following the complaints by the Deputy Governor, the commission has summoned Natembeya over alleged inflammatory remarks that have gone viral on social media.

"NCIC investigators travelled to Trans Nzoia county in order to serve Governor Natembeya with a summons to appear before the commission after Deputy Governor Kapkory recorded her statement at NCIC offices. We have also written a letter to the Communication Authority of Kenya requesting for the retrieval of the clip on the governor's remarks," said Kobia.

Abbass said that the Senate Devolution Committee had also invited Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and the governor to appear before it next week to shed light on security threats raised by the deputy governor.

Kapkory who appeared before the committee two weeks ago claimed that she has been unable to go back to Trans Nzoia for about one month since she was not assured of her security.

The deputy governor told the committee that her office's budgetary allocation had allegedly been reduced to Sh50,000 per month compared to her predecessor who used to receive at least Sh200,000 per month.

"I have a feeling that I am being set up for failure, I have been given some responsibilities by Governor George Natembeya but the budgetary allocation to my office has been reduced to Sh50,000 which is very little compared to even what County Executive Committee Members get," she said.

Kapkory told the committee that she is currently operating from her Nairobi home and has reported the security concerns to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation headquarters.

She claimed that she has been sidelined and was not being involved in most county activities despite being the principal assistant to the governor.

The deputy governor further alleged that some County Executive Committee Members and county employees disrespect her.

She said even though the County Commissioner has assured her of security she was not comfortable going back to Trans Nzoia.

"I have been respectful and loyal to the governor but at times I feel that my input is not valued with the governor not taking my advice on some issues that I feel are important, at the moment we communicate through the County Secretary which is not supposed to be the case," she claimed.

Kapkory told the committee that the deputy governor's official residence which was occupied by her predecessor and which had been under renovation was converted into the First Lady's office and she has been forced to use her private residence to perform some official duties.

She further claimed that she had not been allocated an official vehicle and was currently using an old vehicle that had been in the county service for the last 10 years.

Abbass said that the committee will work towards reconciling Natembeya and Kapkory and the governor will be summoned to give his side of the story.

"This committee will summon Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya to listen to his side of the story and help reconcile them, we will also summon the Inspector General of Police to ensure the security of the Deputy Governor is beefed up," he said.

[e-mail]