A Nairobi court has given the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) until June 16, 2025, to hand over all evidence it plans to use in the corruption trial of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
The decision was made after the prosecution admitted it had yet to comply with a prior court order requiring disclosure of all documents and witness statements. The presiding magistrate, visibly unimpressed, reminded the prosecution that delays could not be tolerated. “Those documents and statements ought to have been supplied by now,” the court said, directing immediate compliance.
Prosecutor Victor Awiti blamed the delay on logistical issues, telling the court that most of the required documents are in the custody of Trans Nzoia County government and that access had been difficult. He requested two more weeks to gather the material.
But the defense wasn’t having it.
Natembeya’s legal team sharply rejected the request, accusing the prosecution of mishandling the case and flouting basic principles of justice. “You can’t charge someone, then start collecting evidence after the fact,” the defense argued. “And why were they accessing county offices without informing us? That’s a serious breach.”
Despite the back-and-forth, the court stood firm granting no extension and giving the prosecution until mid-June to deliver all relevant material.
Governor Natembeya faces three serious charges: unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, and indirectly benefiting from public funds.
Outside the courtroom, the day took an unexpected turn. As the proceedings concluded, plainclothes police officers swooped in and arrested three individuals suspected to be employees of the Trans Nzoia County government an incident that sparked tension and left onlookers stunned.
