The Anti-Corruption Court has released Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya on a cash bail of Sh500,000 or an alternative bond of Sh1 million.

In addition, the court has barred him from accessing his office for 60 days and from contacting any witnesses involved in his ongoing graft case. He has also been prohibited from leaving the country without prior permission from the court.

Earlier, Governor Natembeya had pleaded with the court to grant him bail pending the hearing of a Sh3.2 million corruption case.

Through his defence team, led by senior counsels Macharia Njeru and Ndegwa Njiru, Natembeya asked Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Charles Ondieki to grant him reasonable bail terms. The defence argued that the charges were politically motivated and aimed at punishing him.

“My plea is that we have mercy on the accused,” said Njeru, insisting the case lacked merit and was driven by ulterior motives.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga opposed the bail application. Through State Counsels Victor Owiti and Alex Akura, the DPP told the court that releasing Natembeya would risk interference with witnesses and obstruct ongoing investigations, thereby compromising the integrity of the trial.

Governor Natembeya is facing two counts of conflict of interest and one count of unlawful acquisition of public property.

According to the charge sheet, he is accused of indirectly benefiting from companies that conducted business with the Trans Nzoia County Government between January 2023 and April 2025.

In one count, he allegedly received KSh1.1 million from Mercy Chelangat, director of Lyma Agro Science Limited and proprietor of Maria Stores, both firms having reportedly secured contracts with the county.

In another count, the governor is accused of receiving KSh2.1 million from Emmanuel Wafula Masungo, the beneficial owner of Easterly Winds Limited, which also conducted business with the county government.

Natembeya was arrested on Monday at his Nairobi residence and taken to the Integrity Centre, where he was grilled before being processed for prosecution.