Natembeya warns his executives over incompetence and sabotage

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya receives signed performance contracting forms from gender executive Eliud Tormoi during the signing ceremony for county executives in Kitale/HANDOUT

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has issued a blistering warning to his senior officers, threatening to sack county executives he accuses of incompetence, negligence and deliberate sabotage of county operations.

He said some executives have failed to meet their performance targets and had derailed critical services.

Natembeya spoke during a performance contracting review meeting at the county headquarters in Kitale.

He faulted them for systemic mismanagement, financial recklessness and actions he said had plunged the county into millions of shillings in pending bills.

The governor expressed frustration that despite signing performance commitments—including delivering zero pending bills and adhering to financial procedures—several officers had failed to uphold their obligations.

With the contracts of some executives set for renewal in January, Natembeya warned that those unable to justify departmental failures should not expect leniency.

“Those who have failed in their mandate will be allowed to leave the county because they are a letdown to the people of Trans Nzoia,” he said.

Natembeya accused certain departments of actively creating pending bills through laxity or schemes involving fraudulent local purchase and service orders.

He said many chief officers could not even state the amount their departments owed contractors.

“Contractors are suffering because you sign documents and fail to process payments,” he said, lamenting that some suppliers had not been paid for work completed as far back as 2022.

The governor condemned what he termed political favouritism in settling newer contracts while older, legitimate claims remain unresolved.

Natembeya also chastised officers over repeated disappearances of documents during audits, only for the files to resurface when he is summoned before the Senate.

Officers, who fail to provide documentation for queried expenditures, would face dismissal, he warned.

The governor further criticised the delegation of core responsibilities to junior accountants and procurement clerks—a practice he said has enabled duplicate approvals, payments for non-existent services and other fraudulent activities.

He faulted departments for failing to resolve long-stagnant staff promotions, saying some employees had remained in the same job groups for more than a decade.

The county chief cautioned against workplace complacency, saying some staff “just come to earn a salary” without delivering services to the public.

Natembeya defended his administration’s record of consistently paying salaries, saying delays are rare and often caused by external Treasury issues.

He reminded employees that they constitute just 0.3 per cent of the population and are expected to serve the remaining 99.7 per cent.

“Government is not a place to make money. It is a place to serve,” he said, adding that performance contracts would now be applied more aggressively, including the removal of underperforming officers.

Despite the stern rebukes, Natembeya acknowledged and thanked officers whom, he said, have demonstrated professionalism and commitment.

He urged them to maintain high standards ahead of upcoming audits and contract renewals.

The governor emphasised that as the 2027 elections draw nearer, the county must stay focused on delivering the commitments outlined in his manifesto and the County Integrated Development Plan.