NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 11- Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has rejected President William Ruto’s accusation that his Tawe movement is frustrating development in the county, insisting residents should not have to seek the President’s approval to access public resources.

📻 Breaking It Down

The governor challenged the Head of State over plans to fund Endebess Hospital, arguing that the national government must respect the constitutional division of responsibilities between the two levels of government.

The exchange followed Ruto’s visit to Trans Nzoia, where he accused Natembeya of allowing political differences to delay development projects, including the proposed hospital.

Ruto said his administration had set aside money for the facility but claimed political hostility in the county had stalled its implementation.

📌 What You Need to Know

“I have the money to build you a hospital here, but because of the hostility there, the hospital has been delayed by bad politics politics driven by spite, anger and hatred,” Ruto said.

But Natembeya dismissed the allegations, arguing that development was a right guaranteed to citizens and should not be treated as a favour extended by the President to political allies.

“Today, Ruto said that Natembeya has rejected development because of the Tawe movement. I have not rejected development, and development is not about Natembeya requesting the President,” he said.

“Development is a right for all Kenyans, including the people of Trans Nzoia. We pay taxes, and we have Members of Parliament who are supposed to ensure that the money reaches the grassroots.”

Natembeya maintained that public resources should benefit residents regardless of their political affiliations, adding that elected leaders had a responsibility to ensure government funding reached communities.

He also questioned the legal basis for the proposed funding arrangements for Endebess Hospital, insisting that health services fall under the mandate of county governments.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya