Natembeya Lands In Trouble After Senators Noticed This In Tranzoia
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The Senate has barred the Trans Nzoia County government from accessing its County Revenue Fund after it emerged that the county has failed to pay more than Sh52 million in staff gratuity owed to former employees for over four years.
The decision was made on Thursday during a session of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), which directed the Controller of Budget to halt any further withdrawals from the fund until the county submits and implements a clear gratuity payout plan.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya appeared before the Committee on January 29, 2026, to respond to concerns raised in the Auditor General’s report on the county’s 2024/25 financial statements. The report revealed that the last gratuity payment was made on May 9, 2021, leaving dozens of former staff without their terminal dues.
The unpaid amount stands at Sh52 million, with Sh26 million owed to staff who served in the Office of the Governor during the tenure of former governor Patrick Khaemba, and another Sh26 million owed to employees from other county departments.
CPAC Chairperson Senator Moses Kajwang strongly criticised the county administration, terming the delay unfair to officers who had already exited public service.
“Officers who have already exited public service are fully entitled to these payments. You must prioritise this obligation,” Senator Kajwang said.Governor Natembeya acknowledged the delay but attributed it to financial constraints rather than deliberate neglect.
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He told the Committee that historical failures by previous administrations to remit statutory deductions had forced the county to divert funds to clear arrears, penalties, and tax obligations.
However, the explanation was rejected by senators, with Kajwang insisting that gratuity payments are unrelated to pension remittances and instead reflect internal inefficiencies.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherarkey supported the position, emphasising that gratuity is a contractual obligation, not a discretionary benefit.
The Committee resolved that no funds will be released to Trans Nzoia County until a gratuity payout plan is approved by CPAC and the Office of the Auditor General. Governor Natembeya accepted the directive and pledged to address the issue through a supplementary budget.
