Natembeya address claims of being Gachagua’s project ahead of 2027 polls
By Luke Oluoch, November 21, 2025Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya has responded to claims that he is being backed by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking on Friday, November 21, 2025, the governor stated that the claims emanated from the coincidence of a similar ideology shared by the two politicians.
According to Natembeya, the links came to a similarity in their messaging, where they both advocated important political issues for their communities.
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Messaging
“When Gachagua was in the government as the DP, he used to speak on the issues of Mt. Kenya. At the same time, I was speaking about issues of our community coming together and uniting. There was a similarity in our messaging, prompting some people in government to make those claims that I am a project of Wamunyoro,” he said.
“He also came to Western and challenged the Mulembe community to make their huge numbers count instead of going through political brokers, a message I have always been stressing through the Tawe Movement,” he added.
Opposition unity
The politician also downplayed the existence of fractures within the coalition, adding that a difference in ideology or opinions remains the hallmark of democracy.
“We know divisions within us will hand Ruto an easy win in the polls. Our resolve to get Ruto out outweighs our individual interests. There are no divisions, only divergence of opinions; what we are looking for now is the formula to get that one candidate who is capable of winning. We believe we can sit down and agree even on the most controversial of issues,” he added.
The governor also opened up about the high stakes of the upcoming by-elections, terming them as key to countering President William Ruto’s influence in the region.
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High-stakes by-elections
“We have upcoming by-elections in Malava and Kisa East. For us, they are a matter of life and death for the people of our community,” he posited.
According to Natembeya, a win for Ruto would embolden the president to extend his yoke of taxes and abductions.
“If we lose, the move will embolden the president and puff him up with pride. It is why we are committed to defeating him. If we fail, Kenyans will be in much trouble. He will impose more taxes and even continue the trend of abductions.”
“For us, the election in Malava is not about Panyaka and Ndakwa but about Panyako, the president’s aide who has been camping there. Some people from the region are even thinking Farouk is vying in the polls,” he added.