The simmering cold war in Trans Nzoia County has erupted into a full-blown administrative lockout. Governor George Natembeya has taken the nuclear option, suspending all operations of the County Public Service Board (CPSB) and shuttering their offices until March 2, 2026, effectively seizing control of the county’s hiring machinery.

This unprecedented move is the climax of a bitter power struggle that has pitted the executive against the board. Natembeya’s directive, issued just days before the board’s tenure was set to expire on February 28, cites "rogue behavior" and "gross misconduct." The Governor’s patience reportedly snapped after the board unilaterally cancelled a recruitment drive for Chief Officers and allegedly hired nurses without following due process, acts Natembeya views as direct sabotage of his administration.

Sabotage and insubordination

"We cannot run a government with a board that operates as an opposition party," Natembeya declared. The suspension is rooted in specific allegations: the irregular recruitment of eight nurses who were not shortlisted, and the board Chairman’s alleged use of personal funds to place newspaper advertisements cancelling government hiring notices. These actions, according to the Governor, were not just procedural errors but calculated attempts to cripple service delivery.

The lockout has thrown the county’s workforce into uncertainty. With the offices closed and the board members effectively sent on terminal leave, the hiring and promotion of staff are in limbo. Natembeya’s administration insists this "reset" is necessary to restore integrity, but critics view it as a muscular consolidation of power by a Governor known for his no-nonsense approach.

• The Spark: The board’s unilateral cancellation of the Chief Officers' recruitment advert on January 23, 2026, was the final straw for the Governor.
• Legal Showdown: The dispute threatens to spill into the courts, as the suspended board members may challenge the legality of the Governor’s executive order.

The Natembeya Doctrine

Governor Natembeya has once again proven he is willing to break institutional china to get his way. By physically locking the board out of their offices, he has sent a chilling message to all semi-autonomous county bodies: align with the executive’s vision, or face extinction.

The offices are closed, the board is out, and for now, George Natembeya is the only sheriff in town.