Natembeya Names 16 New County Officials in Administrative Shake-Up

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has announced 16 new nominees for county chief officer positions as part of a broader restructuring of his administration. The changes come at a time when political focus is gradually shifting toward the 2027 General Election, with the governor seeking to strengthen service delivery across the county.

The newly proposed officials, selected from different areas within Trans Nzoia, are expected to oversee major departments such as agriculture, education, finance, governance, infrastructure and trade. Governor Natembeya said the appointments are intended to boost efficiency in county operations by bringing in individuals capable of steering development programmes and improving performance in public service.

Speaking on the appointments, Natembeya emphasised the importance of chief officers in county governance, noting that they serve as accounting officers responsible for supervising departmental activities and ensuring government projects are implemented effectively. He explained that some of the changes were necessary after contracts for several serving officers came to an end.

Among those nominated are Barasa Charles Wasike for Agriculture and Irrigation, Simiyu Waswa for Livestock and Fisheries, Godfrey Walubengo for Cooperative Development, and Ben Kwatemba for Economic Planning, Accounting and Procurement. Others on the list include Bernard Madegwa for Planning, Kapten Philip for Public Service Management, Chepkole Wilfred Yano for Governance, and Samuel Masika for Performance Management.

The nominees have since been submitted to the Trans Nzoia County Assembly, where they will undergo vetting before approval and formal appointment. The process follows legal requirements under the County Governments Act, which mandates governors to seek assembly approval before appointing chief officers.

The move has generated mixed reactions across the county. Supporters argue that bringing in new officials could improve efficiency and accelerate development projects, while critics believe the reshuffle may also carry political calculations aimed at strengthening regional support. Attention now shifts to the county assembly, where the nominees’ suitability for office will be determined during the vetting process.