A newly elected Kenyan governor has won praise for harsh office rules after turning away top officials from a meeting for arriving minutes later than him.

Governor George Natembeya of Trans-Nzoia county, in western Kenya, ordered doors to be closed for anyone arriving past 09:00 local time, the time set for the meeting.

The meeting with County Executive Committee members, equivalent of cabinet ministers, was meant to discuss the county's development plan for the next five years.

“When I say we meet at 9am sharp I mean 9am sharp and not 9:01am. I personally arrived here five minutes earlier so everyone should learn to keep time. Past the said time, if you are out, remain there,” Mr Natembeya is quoted as saying by local outlets.

The governor gained a reputation for his strictness in his former role as a government administrator.