Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha hit back hard at Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya on Friday, dismissing reports that he had lined up young men to strip her in public. She told a crowd during a UDA grassroots meeting in Sinyereri Ward that she heard about the alleged plan but felt no fear at all.
Nakhumicha said the whole thing left her unfazed. She added, “Nimesikia George Natembeya amepanga vijana wanitoe nguo lakini siogopi ile kitu wataona ni ile Natembeya huwa anaona kwa bibi yake.”
The remark, delivered in Swahili with a mix of defiance and sarcasm, suggested that whatever the group might try to expose would be nothing new or shocking to the governor himself in his private life. People in the room laughed, and clips of her speaking started circulating fast on WhatsApp groups, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
This exchange comes as political temperatures rise in Trans Nzoia ahead of the 2027 elections. Nakhumicha, who served as Health CS under President William Ruto before moving to her current role as Kenya’s ambassador to UN-Habitat, has made no secret of her interest in running for governor.
She has been touring the county, holding meetings, and pointing fingers at the current administration over issues like healthcare delivery. In recent speeches, she has criticised Natembeya for what she calls a lack of achievements and for letting key sectors slide.
Natembeya, who won the seat in 2022 on an independent ticket before aligning closer to the ruling coalition, has not directly commented on Nakhumicha’s latest remarks yet. Supporters on both sides have jumped into the fray online.
Some praised her for standing tall and speaking plainly, calling it a sign of strength in a tough political field. Others questioned the tone, saying it crossed into personal territory and disrespected women or family matters. One post on X urged her to respect herself and others, while replies defended her as simply responding to provocation.
The alleged threat itself remains unverified beyond Nakhumicha’s account. No police report or official statement has surfaced confirming that Natembeya organised or encouraged any such action.
In Kenyan politics, claims of hired goons, intimidation, and public humiliation often fly during campaign seasons, especially when challengers emerge against sitting leaders.
Nakhumicha used the moment to rally her base. She reminded listeners that the governor’s seat belongs to no single person and that voters deserve better options. She brought up familiar complaints about hospitals running short on medicine, delayed projects, and a lack of visible progress since 2022.
“People want results, not excuses,” she said in parts of the speech shared online. Her supporters see her as a fresh face with national experience who can bring change.
The line about “bibi yake” (his wife or woman) struck a nerve because it turned a supposed threat into something deeply personal.
As clips keep spreading, the story has gone beyond Trans Nzoia. People in other counties share it with comments ranging from amusement to concern over the level of discourse.
One TikTok video editing her words with dramatic music has thousands of views already. Others post side-by-side comparisons of both leaders’ records, turning the exchange into fuel for wider debate.
No one knows yet if this will escalate into formal complaints or just fade as another heated moment in a long election cycle. In a place where politics often feels personal, her response showed she intends to meet fire with fire.
Trans Nzoia voters will decide eventually who gains from this kind of back-and-forth. For now, the county stays firmly in the spotlight, and Susan Nakhumicha has ensured her name stays on everyone’s lips.
