Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has come out strongly to defend Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya after Dadaab MP Farah Maalim called for his deportation from Kenya over remarks he made about ID vetting for border communities.
Addressing a crowd in Trans Nzoia on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Amisi emphasized that Natembeya has a right to his opinions, insisting that it is unfair to subject the governor to public attacks.
Amisi assured the gathering that if Natembeya’s leadership was to be challenged, it should be done democratically at the ballot box, and that he, Amisi, would be ready to offer himself as an alternative when the time comes.
“Hapa Trans Nzoia, wengi wamekua wakipiga Natembeya vita, nimesema ni mtoto wetu, mturuhusu tumkoso, msimpige vita dunie nzima; mara Kimani Ichung’wah, mara Junet, hapana, tunajua ako na makosa lakini mturuhusu turekebishe, hatuezi acha dunia nzima inaongelea mtu mmoja, si haki.
“Ata mimi watu wameniambia naeza simama gavana, nimekuja kuchunguza ground inasemaje, nikiskia iko mniachieni huyo jama mimi ndio ntamtoa na mtakua sawa msimsumbue, mimi pekee yangu ntawezana nayeye, namnyorosha mapema anaenda, lakini kwa sasa, let us support all leaders irrespective of whether we agree with them or not,” Amisi said.
The controversy surrounding Natembeya stems from his call to reinstate vetting requirements for individuals from border communities seeking national Identity Cards, a proposal that has sparked fierce debate.
Minority Leader in the National Assembly, Junet Mohamed, criticized Natembeya’s remarks, arguing that they were discriminatory and that the governor did not deserve any leadership position in Kenya.
“I was shocked to see a governor in this country shouting at the top of his voice from Trans Nzoia, saying some Kenyans should not be given identity cards. That man does not deserve to lead anybody in Kenya; it is very disheartening,” Junet said during a parliamentary sitting on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
In response to the backlash, Natembeya clarified that his intentions were based solely on national security concerns, not ethnic discrimination.
“My recent call for the reinstatement of robust vetting procedures for national identity issuance in North Eastern Kenya arose solely from concerns over national security. Border regions have unique challenges ranging from cross-border movement to the threat of illicit networks that demand prudent safeguards,” Natembeya explained.
Despite maintaining his stance, the governor reaffirmed that he holds no personal animosity toward the Somali community and pointed to his previous service in Kamukunji, where he advocated for fair treatment of Somali Kenyans during his time as District Commissioner.
