Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya during a homecoming in Kitale town, in the county on May 26, 2025.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya say he has forged a working relationship with DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna to chart a united political path for the Mulembe Nation.
Governor Natembeya, who was recently named the United Opposition linchpin for the region, says their triumvirate seeks to lock President William Ruto out of the vote-rich region ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) projects that the Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Trans Nzoia will have in excess of 3.2 million votes in 2027.
In an exclusive interview with the Nation, Mr Natembeya said the opposition's plan is also aimed at ending what he termed the ineffective leadership styles of veteran politicians from the region, whom he accused of hindering the region’s development agenda despite being in leadership for decades.
“We have never been divided as Luhya because the late Raila Odinga had been getting over 75 per cent of our votes in every election; it is the leaders who always go different directions. However, in 2027, Luhya’s votes will go into one basket and for the candidate who will be presented by the opposition,” said Mr Natembeya.
The first-term governor was named the opposition’s regional point man when the outfit leaders conducted a three-day tour of Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties two weeks ago.
The rallies were attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Mr Wamalwa, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, and several MPs and political leaders allied to the opposition.
“I urge you to support Governor Natembeya for a second term in office, and he will take charge of this region. We are working to ensure we send President William Ruto home in 2027,” said Mr Gachagua during a rally in Kitale town on June 14.
“Whether it is Eugene, Natembeya, Matiang’i or Kalonzo, we will be behind him as our presidential candidate,” added Mr Gachagua.
Mr Natembeya said he was ready for the assignment and believes that, based on his interactions with residents across the region, the opposition is well-positioned to achieve its "one-term" agenda.
“We are going to traverse this region because we have not benefited from this government, and the promises made to our people have not been fulfilled. Where are the 1,000km roads which we were promised? Do we have 30 per cent of the government? The sugar sector is on its knees, yet tea and coffee farmers in the other part of the country are reaping big. Why not our people?” posed Mr Natembeya.
The governor said he intends to use his new role to crisscross the region. Besides seeking re-election in Trans Nzoia, he said he must persuade the Mulembe Nation on why it should vote out the current administration.
Opposition leaders (from left): George Natembeya, Justin Muturi, Fred Matiang’i, Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Eugene Wamalwa in Kisumu on July 3, 2025.
He also plans to engage grassroots teams in every ward, explain what the region stands to gain by supporting the opposition and challenge the leadership credentials of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, whom he blames for the region’s slow pace of development.
“My assignment is here to talk to the people and deliver votes since we have to make our people understand our plans for them, because Western has to be developed just like other areas. Our people have to know what is at stake for them, and we have to convince them that when we win next year, it will not be the normal way where only two people benefit at the expense of the community.”
The growing popularity of Mr Sifuna has often been viewed as a potential source of tension with Mr Wamalwa and Mr Natembeya within opposition circles. However, the governor sought to downplay that perception.
Following the 2022 General Election, Mr Natembeya became one of the most vocal critics of the government through his Tawe Movement. However, Mr Sifuna’s rising national profile has increasingly placed him at the centre of opposition politics in the region.
At rallies, funerals and public events across Western Kenya, Mr Sifuna has emerged as a crowd favourite, a popularity many observers attribute to his outspoken criticism of President Ruto’s administration and his perceived persecution within ODM.
Mr Natembeya also previously engaged in a political supremacy contest with Mr Wamalwa over leadership influence within DAP-Kenya, prompting him to carve out an independent political identity through the Tawe Movement.
Edwin Sifuna during the Linda Mwananchi Rally in Shamakhokho, Hamisi Sub-County, Vihiga County, on April 25, 2026.
However, he insists he harbours no jealousy and would readily support Mr Sifuna if he is the one capable of leading the region toward political change.
“Sifuna wants to be President, I want a second term as a governor, why would I play regional politics and oppose him on the national scene? What is key is being united and achieving our plan of uplifting the livelihood of our people. We are working together with him and Eugene,” he asserted.
The governor said the opposition is likely to operate under a single coalition framework but argued that even if constituent parties field candidates independently, they still stand a strong chance of winning many elective seats across the Mulembe Nation.
He cited the 2002 elections when candidates from the late Kijana Wamalwa’s Ford-Kenya and Raila Odinga’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won seats under the broader NARC coalition.
While Mr Natembeya coordinates opposition activities in the region, the government side appointed Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka on January 10, 2026, to spearhead President Ruto’s campaign in Western Kenya. Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula was named his deputy.
Mr Lusaka has been vocal in urging the region to support President Ruto’s re-election bid and position itself for a possible presidential run in 2032.
“We have no hate. As Luhya, we want to produce a president, and that is the truth, but we have to plan. If you are given money for a campaign, which day will you become president?" posed Mr Lusaka during a public event in Bungoma County earlier this month.
"We are telling our son (Sifuna), come slowly. When the time comes, we will support you. Yes, you have the calling, but timing is important. They are pushing to use you, then dump you and leave you to political oblivion.
"I have been in politics for a long time. Let them (opposition) first announce their presidential candidate so that we can see what they are offering the Luhya community. For now, let us support President Ruto as we plan for our time in 2032," he added.
However, Mr Natembeya dismissed Mr Lusaka’s sentiments, arguing that neither Mr Mudavadi nor Mr Wetang’ula stands a realistic chance of becoming president in 2032.
He said their decades-long dominance of regional politics, coupled with what he described as the region’s stagnation, would lead to their political downfall in 2027.
National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula confers with Prime cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma county on 1st June 2024 during the 61st Madaraka day celebrations.
“The problem with Wetang’ula and Mudavadi is that they think their age doesn’t move, while that of Ruto moves. Wetang’ula will be 75 years old in 2032; he will be old, while Mudavadi will be 71. Why would they think they will be given the presidency on a silver platter, and we can wait for them? If they were serious, they should have been the people handing power to Ruto,” said Mr Natembeya.
Both Mr Mudavadi and Mr Wetangula say the region has a more realistic chance of the presidency through them.
The governor said poverty levels across Western Kenya remain alarming despite claims by Mr Mudavadi and Mr Wetang’ula that the region has benefited significantly from being in government.
“I’m a governor of a region which is the food basket of the country, but still, there are people who sleep hungry. All our industries have collapsed, and our people’s economic fortunes are dwindling. The era of deploying deliberate mechanisms to keep our people in poverty for political gain is long gone. 2027 is the year of redemption,” said the governor, who was elected on a DAP-Kenya ticket.
On Trans Nzoia politics, Mr Natembeya said he is unbothered by Mr Wetang’ula’s endorsement of former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha as Ford-Kenya’s preferred gubernatorial candidate.
“Wetang’ula no longer influences Trans Nzoia or Bungoma politics; his time ended long ago. He wants the people to vote for a person who will work and serve his interest instead of those of the electorate, and that can no longer work here,” he said.
Last weekend, Ms Nakhumicha hosted the Ford-Kenya leader and several politicians at her home, where she was endorsed to contest the governorship seat.
“I’m ready for any opponent because it is the people who will decide, but I have accomplished and met the pledges I made in the run-up to the 2022 general elections.”
According to political analyst Prof Masibo Lumala, Mr Natembeya possesses strong mobilisation skills and has the ability to energise crowds, making him a valuable asset for the opposition.
“There is a general boredom with Mudavadi, Wetang’ula politics, which is why people in Western only want to hear Sifuna, who is now working with Natembeya. Even in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia, Ford Kenya will find it hard to continue with its dominance,” says Prof Lumala.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
