Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has declared that he would not support Rigathi Gachagua should he decide to run for president, arguing that the country’s top seat should rotate among different regions.
Speaking during an interview on a local television station, Natembeya said the presidency should not remain concentrated in one region, noting that the Mount Kenya region has already produced several presidents over the past three decades.
“I believe that the presidential seat should rotate. The Mt Kenya community has had this seat for over 30 years. I want to demystify this because people believe that when you get the presidency, the entire community gains access to certain privileges, which creates unhealthy competition,” Natembeya said.
His remarks highlight growing divisions within opposition circles over who could challenge William Ruto in the 2027 general election.
Beyond the presidential debate, Natembeya also took aim at Kenya’s state honours system, arguing that national awards have lost credibility and are sometimes handed out based on connections rather than genuine service.
The governor questioned the integrity of the system, saying it makes little sense to honour individuals only for them to later face corruption allegations.
“Today, state commendations have totally lost meaning. You find a person with titles like HSC or OGW simply because they know someone at State House, even if they have done nothing important for this country,” he said.
Natembeya revealed that despite being awarded the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) and the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) for his service as a county and regional commissioner, he no longer uses the titles.
“I bundled the honours in a sack and dumped them on the ceiling board. I don’t use them because they no longer have the dignity and respect they deserve,” he added.
The governor’s remarks come amid his own legal challenges. In June 2025, Natembeya was charged with corruption and conflict of interest involving more than Sh3 million in payments. He has denied wrongdoing and maintains that the case is politically motivated.
“How can I carry the title of a state honouree while being paraded in court over corruption allegations? It makes no sense. Those honours have been tainted. The EACC even took them during their raids. I no longer want them,” he said.
Natembeya also criticised past state commendations, citing instances where public figures received honours for actions he believes did not merit national recognition.
“I can remember someone being honoured with an HSC for simply eating githeri on an election day. This shows the state honours in Kenya are no longer credible,” he said.
The outspoken governor, who previously served in senior government administration roles, has become a vocal critic of the national government and the political establishment, often challenging how power and recognition are distributed in the country.
