Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has spoken about his political relationship with President William Ruto and former Premier Raila Odinga.

During an interview with a local television station on Monday, August 11, 2025, Natembeya explained that he doesn’t feel the need to have a personal connection with the president. The former county commissioner argued that the belief politicians must maintain close ties with the executive to secure development is misguided.

“Our relationship with Ruto is that he is the president and I am a governor. That is the relation. He is in the national government, and I am in the county government,” he bluntly stated.

Natembeya stressed that the connection between county and national governments is defined by the constitution.

“He is the president of Kenya, and I don’t have another president. I don’t know why people want to have more than that, to what end? There is this common tendency by politicians striving to be close to the president. I find it misplaced because our constitution of devolved units was aimed at reducing the politics of sycophancy,” he said.

Natembeya affirmed that Trans Nzoia County deserves its share of national income regardless of his political differences with the Kenya Kwanza government.

“Above all, Trans Nzoia is part of Kenya, and as long as we are taxpayers, we deserve our fair share of tax. I believe it does not matter what one’s relationship with the president is,” Natembeya asserted.

Addressing his relationship with ODM leader Raila Odinga, Natembeya maintained that the former prime minister has the right to chart his political course after entering into an agreement with President Ruto’s government.

However, Natembeya stressed that Raila remains the opposition leader until he publicly declares otherwise.

“Raila was our leader in Azimio, but he did not inform us when he was going to join the government. As far as I’m concerned, he was our leader. He has the freedom to make his choices and the right to make his own decisions. Raila says he sent experts to the government to help them. He has not categorically said he moved from the opposition, so unless he states that, we will know he is no longer our leader,” Natembeya said.