The Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) has moved to dismiss claims of division within its leadership, reaffirming unity between party leader Eugene Wamalwa and his first deputy leader, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

In a statement shared across its social media platforms on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, the party dismissed assertions that there is a rift between Wamalwa and Natembeya. DAP-K emphasised that it remains a united and indivisible political outfit, firmly aligned with the TAWE movement and slogan, which is synonymous with George Natembeya. The party underscored that DAP-K and TAWE are the same, bound by a shared vision and common political agenda.

The party further stated that its unity is anchored on a strong resistance platform against corruption, tribalism, high taxes, the rising cost of living, and what it termed as failed economic, education, and health policies.

It also highlighted concerns over abductions, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, positioning itself as a vocal critic of governance failures.

“For those of you who were preying on dividing our party by driving a wedge between our PL Eugene Wamalwa and our DPL George Natembeya and DAP-K and TAWE Movement, now you have your answer! DAP-K is TAWE, and TAWE is DAPK, one indivisible party with a strong resistance slogan against corruption, tribalism, high taxes and cost of living and failed economic, education and health policies, abductions, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings!”

Dap-K wrangles

This comes at a time when a rift appears to be developing between Eugene Wamalwa and his deputy, George Natembeya, over the leadership of the party. This led the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), the highest organ of the party, to appoint an eight-member committee to investigate the matters raised by the two factions.

The select committee was given 30 days to deliberate, but it has yet to issue the outcome of its meetings.

The two leaders have not been seeing eye to eye, particularly during the Malava by-elections, where they both supported Seth Panyako as the party’s preferred candidate. During the campaigns, they visited the constituency on separate days.

Wamalwa’s defense

Eugene Wamalwa defended this, explaining that they alternated visits to ensure there was no gap in the constituency’s coverage; when Wamalwa was away on other campaigns as United Opposition head, his deputy would step in to continue the campaign work.

Wamalwa stated that they had reached an agreement with Natembeya before supporting him for the 2022 gubernatorial race. They agreed that Natembeya would serve a 10-year term to bring meaningful change in Trans Nzoia and address the challenges caused by the Ford Kenya Party during their tenure since 2013.

 However, Natembeya later announced a presidential bid, reflecting a similar ambition he has long harboured. But contended that it is his democratic right to do so