Natembeya explains why Malava by-election will not reflect the 2027 polls
By Mabonga Makhanu, November 28, 2025Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has dismissed the assumption that the government’s victories in the 2025 by-elections signal what will happen in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Friday, November 28, 2025, he argued that the mini-polls were influenced by heavy state machinery, a level of involvement he believes cannot be sustained during a nationwide election.
Natembeya noted that the government went to great lengths to secure wins in the by-elections, deploying extensive resources, personnel, and political influence in ways he described as excessive.
He suggested that this aggressive approach was meant to create an impression of growing strength ahead of 2027 but insisted that the strategy would collapse under the weight of a full general election.
He maintained that only a handful of opposition figures – himself, Cleophas Malala, and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale – succeeded in challenging the state, which had deployed all its machinery, with all mps from Kakamega constituencies competing against them, but they managed to give them a run for their money.
According to him, this was proof that Western Kenya would not be easily manipulated or swayed in a larger electoral contest. He expressed confidence that the region would firmly reject what he termed as intimidation and state-driven politics in 2027.
“Yeah, you know, just three of us, the honourable Malala, myself, and the honourable Senator Khalwale here, have given our government the run of its money. So come, come 2027, I’m telling you, western Kenya will not be available for these kinds of games,” Natembeya stated.
Natembeya also defended the people of Malava, saying they had turned out in large numbers and displayed enthusiasm despite the intense pressure surrounding the by-election.
Despite losing in the minipolls, he said that they will use the 2027 general elections to teach the state a lesson that they will never forget
United opposition’s next move
Senator Khalwale, who joined Natembeya during the briefing, reinforced the stance that the government should not expect the same advantages in 2027. He argued that the tactics used in the by-elections would not work in a national contest.
According to him, the murky ways they employed in Malava that saw them win will not apply in the national contest, and Kenyans will reject it since the country has made huge democratic steps, unlike other countries in the region, like Tanzania.
During the presser while trying to come to terms following their candidate Seth Panyako’s loss in the just-concluded mini polls, they revealed that they are doing internal consultations before going the legal way to challenge many irregularities that marred the polls.