Rift Valley County Commissioner George Natembeya has declared that he will be contesting for the Trans Nzoia County gubernatorial seat in 2022.
Speaking in an interview with TV 47, George Natembeya said that though he is currently in the public service, he has the right to shift to politics.
“It is within my right to seek for the elective post if I wish to, I don’t think there is any law that bars me from contesting,” Commissioner George Natembeya said.
The declaration from Natembeya comes after wild speculations that he will be contesting the gubernatorial seat against his major competitor, Chris Wamalwa.
The Regional Commissioner has been locking horns with Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, who also wants the gubernatorial seat in 2022.
In June, the MP called out Natembeya for popularising himself in the name of launching government projects.
He asked the commissioner to put away his title and uniform, and face him directly. At this time Natembeya had not officially declared that he will be in the ballot box in the 2022 General Election.
“Remove your uniform and face me in the gubernatorial race or I personally remove them,” Wamalwa told Natembeya in a press conference at Milimani.
However, Commissioner George Natembeya fired back at his opponent, saying he is already popular.
“I have been walking in all the 14 counties, so when I come here.. I hear people saying Natembeya is marketing himself, he wants to be governor. I don’t want to market myself, who does not know me here?
The two are seeking to succeed incumbent Patrick Khaemba, who is serving his second and last term on a Ford-Kenya party ticket.
There are also reports that Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa might also vie for the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial post.
