George Natembeya Says He Regrets Picking Philomena Kapkory As Deputy

• Governor Natembeya expressed regret for choosing Philomena Kapkory as his deputy as their relationship deteriorates
• Natembeya voiced displeasure at Kapkory's recent complaints, labelling them as selfish and inconsiderate
• Kapkory had accused the governor of discrimination and making her life unbearable, leading to widening cracks in their relationship

TUKO.co.ke’s Current Affairs journalist, Racheal Nyaguthie, has spent more than four years reporting on politics and crime stories in Kenya and covered the 2022 Presidential Election

Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya has confessed he regrets picking his deputy Philomena Kapkory as his running mate as the cracks in their relationship widen.

Coming just days after Kapkory accused the county boss of discrimination and making her life unbearable, the governor expressed his displeasure in her recent complaints, which he described as selfish.

Why does Natembeya regret picking Kapkory?

Speaking as he kicked off the maiden Governor's Cup 2023 in Chepchoina, Natembeya recalled that when he picked Kapkory, she was rejected by, among other quarters, her own Sabaot community, even costing him votes from the tribe.

"They asked me why I had picked her. It is not good to incite the Sabaot community against me. I picked her as a bridge for the divisions that were there between the Sabaot and other tribes. You complaints that you are being denied personal things are in bad taste.

"I would like the Sabaot community to ask her if she has made any demands, such as roads or other needs for the community, that have been rejected. I was not elected to fulfil individual demands," he said as shared in a video on the Natembeya Mashinani Facebook page.

Kapkory appears before Senate

As reported, when she appeared before the Senate Devolution Committee over the allegations, Kapkory reiterated that county officials had directly threatened her life.

She told the committee that Natembeya had not taken any action despite her putting her concerns in writing.

"I received personal threats which simply insinuated that I should not step in my office because I had become a persona non-grata. Those threatening me stated that they would deal with me if they would see me in office."

She said those threatening her were bold enough to publish the threats on social media and wondered why the police and the governor had not done anything tangible to tame the threats.