Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has issued a stern warning to the national government against using force to silence dissent, saying violence will not shield the state from citizens’ demands. Speaking during an interview on Spice FM, Natembeya criticized the government’s excessive reliance on security forces to contain protests, especially from the youth, warning that such tactics are unsustainable.
“If today 1 million Kenyans walked to State House, what are they going to do? Are they going to kill everybody?” he posed. “All these walls we build around ourselves as leaders are fake. They can just crumble. At the end of the day, power is with the people.”
Natembeya’s remarks come in the wake of widespread anti-government protests, most recently during the Saba Saba anniversary on July 7, which turned deadly. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 31 people were killed and over 100 injured in confrontations with police. Protesters, largely young Kenyans, have been demonstrating against economic hardship, high unemployment, and perceived government indifference.
Natembeya condemned the state’s apparent tone-deafness, urging President William Ruto to listen to the people and implement real reforms. He emphasized that addressing the country’s economic crisis and creating opportunities for the youth is the only viable path to stability.
“We have done a huge disservice to this country. Unemployment is nearly 60%. Chances of a Kenyan living a lifetime without formal employment are very real not due to lack of education, but due to lack of opportunities,” he said.
The governor added that leaders are making a grave mistake by assuming their positions protect them from public outrage. “We think because we are leaders, we are very safe. But we are not listening.”
As tensions continue to rise across the country, Natembeya’s call serves as a timely reminder that governance must be rooted in dialogue and service not repression. The protests underscore a growing urgency for government action that is people-centered, accountable, and inclusive.
