Natembeya calls on voters to brace for his candidature

By , April 19, 2025

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has declared interest in the 2027 presidential race and called on voters from the Western region and across the country to be ready to rally behind his candidacy.

Natembeya assured his supporters that he is ready to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 presidential race and revealed he is assembling a think tank to advise him on his journey to State House.

The governor made the remarks at a Nairobi hotel during a meeting with members of the Western Elites Association (WEA), led by their national chairman Liyala Omulisya, where he also called on residents of Malava Constituency to support the DAP-K aspirant in the upcoming by-election, following the death of local MP Malulu Injendi. He urged the Luhya community to show unity in the Malava by-election by voting for the DAP-K candidate, accusing ODM and its leader Raila Odinga of taking the region for granted.

Natembeya criticised Raila for allegedly sidelining other Azimio affiliate parties, stating that before signing a memorandum of understanding with President Ruto’s UDA, Raila had promised Wycliffe Oparanya the Treasury docket. Instead, he gave the position to his Nyanza ally John Mbadi, appointing Oparanya as the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs — which Natembeya mockingly referred to as “CS for Fuliza.”

He accused those claiming the Luhya community is not united of seeking to manipulate them, noting that Raila’s ODM has consistently received over 80 percent of the vote in Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, and Trans Nzoia counties. “Luhyas are one tribe with 18 sub-clans — just like the Kalenjins, who comprise Nandis, Kipsigis, Keiyos, Marakwets, Pokots, Sabaots, among others.”

Natembeya said the DAP-K candidate would also represent the Tawe Movement, and that he would join other opposition leaders in campaigning for the nominee selected by the Eugene Wamalwa-led party.

He accused National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi of failing to use their combined 70 years in government to deliver meaningful development to the western region.

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