EACC Tightens Grip on Trans Nzoia County Officials in Sweeping Obstruction Crackdown

In a dramatic escalation of Kenya’s ongoing fight against graft, over 20 Trans Nzoia County officials were arrested this week in a coordinated swoop by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The arrests, which unfolded both in courtrooms and in the streets, have sent shockwaves across the county government, raising concerns over rampant impunity and political shielding of corruption.

Footage of scuffles outside Milimani Law Courts—where men in suits tussled with plainclothes officers—has ignited public fury, casting a dark shadow over the integrity of Trans Nzoia’s leadership.

The spectacle unfolding in Trans Nzoia is no longer just a story of missing billions—it is a full-blown governance crisis, complete with courtroom drama, public violence, and systemic obstruction. [Photo: Courtesy]

Obstruction, Violence and Missing Billions in Trans Nzoia County

The June 3rd arrests mark a significant development in an investigation that has uncovered staggering financial misconduct and aggressive interference with justice. According to the EACC, the operation was triggered by blatant obstruction of lawful court orders.

The arrested officials allegedly mobilized resistance against anti-graft detectives, using both force and manipulation of crowds to derail ongoing investigations. Among the high-profile arrests were Hon. John Chigi Makhanu, the sitting MCA for Sinyerere Ward, Frank Kuyala Wabwire, a key member of the governor’s protocol team, and Hon. Bernard Muganda, a former MCA for Motosiet Ward.

Muganda had been arrested a day earlier, on June 2, while Makhanu and Wabwire were taken into custody outside Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, where tensions exploded into physical confrontations.

Videos shared by Kenya Insights captured scenes of individuals being forcefully bundled into unmarked vehicles while others attempted to block the officers—further proof, EACC says, of deliberate obstruction.

The EACC revealed that the broader investigation centers on Ksh1.46 billion allegedly looted from county coffers between 2022 and 2025. The funds were reportedly siphoned through manipulated procurement deals, bribery, and abuse of office.

A court-sanctioned raid on Governor George Natembeya’s residence on May 19 was met with organized resistance from local leaders and county employees, leading to violence, vandalism, and public disorder.

Five government vehicles—valued at over Ksh12 million—were vandalized during the chaos, according to EACC reports. The Commission believes this level of aggression was not spontaneous but incited by senior figures in the Trans Nzoia administration, including sitting MCAs.

“We are seeing an unacceptable pattern of state defiance, intimidation, and obstruction,” an EACC spokesperson said.

Milimani Courtroom Chaos Shows Boldness of Trans Nzoia County Officials

The melee outside Milimani Law Courts on June 3 was more than just a scuffle—it was a coordinated attempt to block justice. Moments after Governor Natembeya’s case was mentioned in court, a group of unidentified men engaged in a physical confrontation with anti-corruption officers.

Witnesses reported that some of the individuals forcibly removed suspects from police custody, sparking a foot chase and drawing an outraged crowd.

In the footage, suspects were heard yelling for help, claiming they were being kidnapped, as other individuals tried to shield them from arrest. EACC confirmed that these men were part of Governor Natembeya’s team and were actively trying to prevent further detentions.

Law enforcement, however, responded swiftly. Working alongside DCI officers and the Integrity Police Station, EACC reinforced its personnel and apprehended the 24 suspects involved. All have been charged with obstruction of justice, and more arrests are expected in the coming days.

This aggressive interference is now being treated not just as a hindrance to the corruption investigation, but also as a serious breach of national security protocols.

EACC’s Zero-Tolerance Message to County Governments

In a strongly worded statement, the EACC warned that it will not back down in the face of threats, intimidation, or public disorder. “No individual, regardless of political office, will be allowed to sabotage our lawful mandate,” the Commission declared. “Obstruction, incitement, and destruction of public assets are criminal acts, and the law will take its course.”

The arrest of Trans Nzoia County officials is just the tip of a much larger investigation. Sources within the anti-corruption watchdog suggest that financial records and procurement documents tied to the county government reveal irregular transactions involving ghost contractors, inflated invoices, and kickback schemes involving top leadership.

Observers believe the bold resistance from the arrested officials reflects how deeply entrenched corruption has become in county-level governance. Political operatives have reportedly used their offices not only to plunder resources but also to build networks that disrupt legal processes.

With the suspects now facing formal charges in Kitale Law Courts, EACC is expected to widen the scope of the investigation to include county executives, procurement officers, and several MCAs accused of shielding illicit activities through assembly motions and intimidation of whistleblowers.