The Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) has been thrown into a crisis with two of its most prominent figures, party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, facing separate coordinated attempts to remove them from their key positions.
Rival factions have been plotting to undermine the influence of both leaders, accusing them of disloyalty or overstepping the mark in party affairs.
This infighting has exposed deep divisions within the party, raising concerns about its cohesion ahead of future elections.
Following reports of splits within the party, DAP-K has resolved to refer all issues to its Internal Disputes Resolution Committee.
It is reported that Governor Natembeya, the party's deputy leader, is leading a faction seeking to rebrand the party for national appeal, while Mr Wamalwa is said to be leading the conservative wing, which favours maintaining the party’s current structure and direction.
During a press briefing on Friday, DAP-K Secretary General Dr Eseli Simiyu admitted the extent of the crisis, saying there was “a serious dispute” between members of the party.
He explained that the Internal Disputes Resolution Committee would resolve all issues and chart the party's next course of action.
“In view of the doubts cast over the eligibility of some members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), a petition requesting the removal of the party leader and some NEC officials, as well as the third deputy party leader, the NMC has deliberated and found that there is therefore a serious dispute between members of the party,” Dr Simiyu told journalists, highlighting the magnitude of the problem.
He added that the National Management Council (NMC) has therefore decided to refer all petitions to the IDRM internal dispute resolutions mechanism to handle this urgently, to ensure that party activities, specifically the upcoming by-elections for which they will be fielding candidates across the country, continue uninterrupted.
For his part, Mr Wamalwa appealed to party members to remain calm, assuring them that the disputes would be resolved democratically.
He confirmed that the party would be fielding candidates in the upcoming by-elections in Malava and Ugunja.
“I don't feel threatened in any way; this is a democratic party. There's nothing we can't handle,” Mr Wamalwa stated.
Mr Wamalwa, a prominent figure in Kenyan opposition politics, is reportedly facing opposition from a faction that views his leadership as “domineering and exclusionary”. Some party members accuse him of making unilateral decisions without adequate consultation, thereby alienating grassroots supporters.
On his part, Governor Natembeya refuted claims of disputes within the party, stating that there were only minor disagreements. He called for reforms within DAP-K, urging the party to rebrand and expand beyond Western Kenya.
“The murmurs you are hearing from DAP-K are about those who are conservative and those who want to be liberal, and who want to rebrand the party so that it is not just for Western Kenya and so that we have other voices. Politics is not just about Western Kenya,” he said.
“That is the challenge that we have. Some people are against opening the doors to other Kenyans to help DAP-K grow, because we know it has potential,” the governor added.
The governor's refusal came after a petition was filed on Thursday, July 31, by a party member seeking his removal and accusing him of funding and promoting another political party, Conservation for Democracy in Kenya (COD-K), through proxies.
After 60 days out of his office, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya returned to his office on July 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Evans Jaola | Nation
The petition read in part: 'Petition for the expulsion of the deputy party leader and the Governor of Trans Nzoia, George Natembeya, for funding the registration and/or promotion of another political party known as Conservation for Democracy in Kenya (COD-K) through proxies.”
On Thursday, the DAP-K parliamentary group told off those criticising and attempting to destabilise the party's leadership. The group expressed concern about reports of a coordinated effort to destabilise the leadership through a hostile takeover.
They said that the leader has been parading as a democrat and a defender of the people of Western Kenya, but has been doing the opposite.
The PG emphasised that the leader has consistently enjoyed the full moral, political and legal backing of the party leadership.
“Any effort to launch an unconstitutional takeover of DAP Kenya, targeting party leader Eugene Wamalwa and the national leadership, will be met with resolute resistance. We are aware of his newly formed political party and we caution him against attempting to destabilise DAP-K as he leaves,” the statement read.
The DAP-K Parliamentary Group members expressed their full confidence in their party leader, Mr Wamalwa.
They said that Mr Wamalwa deserves the full support of all party leaders and supporters, rather than sabotage, especially at this pivotal time when the focus is on development issues aimed at improving the lives of Kenyans.
“DAP-K is not only the fifth largest party in Kenya, it is also the most stable and consistent in its fight against corruption, social injustice, human rights violations and the preservation of constitutionalism,” they said.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding these core values and preserving Kenya's multiparty democracy.”
The party was one of 23 that took part in the 2022 Kenyan general election as part of the Azimio La Umoja alliance.
Of their 61 candidates, only five were elected to the 13th Parliament.
