Natembeya Demands Public Apology from Ichung'wah Over Burial Speech

Controversy has erupted following remarks made by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah at the burial of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula's mother, leading to a legal confrontation with Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

The governor has issued a demand letter through his legal representatives, Oringe Waswa & Opany Advocates, accusing Ichung'wah of making defamatory statements that he claims were false, malicious, and aimed at damaging his reputation. The letter demands that Ichung'wah issue a public apology within three days.

“We write this letter to demand, which we hereby do, a retraction and apology, which should be published in the next issue of the Nation, Standard and the Star newspapers in words to be approved by us in a bid to mitigate enormous damage caused to our client,” the letter dated January 6, 2025 reads in part.

The apology must be prominently published in three national newspapers—Nation, Standard, and Star—reflecting the same visibility as the original remarks. The allegations arose during the burial service held in Kabuchai Constituency, Bungoma County, which was attended by several dignitaries, including President William Ruto.

“Our client demands, which we hereby do, that you attend to the foregoing within three days failing which proceedings will be instituted against you holding you liable for all consequential costs and expenses.”

During the event, Ichung'wah linked Governor Natembeya to abductions and enforced disappearances that occurred during President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration when Natembeya served as the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner. The burial service also served as a platform for discussions surrounding a recent rise in abductions across the country, with Governor Natembeya appealing to President Ruto to address the fears faced by families of missing youths.

Amid these developments, some recently abducted individuals—Bernard Kavuli, Peter Muteti, Billy Mwangi, Ronny Kiplangat, and Gideon Kibet, also known as Kibet Bull—were released by their captors on Monday, further intensifying the ongoing debate about security and accountability in the region..