Natembeya: It’s only the Mulembe region that lacks a community leader
By Mabonga Makhanu, April 18, 2026Transnzoia Governor George Natembeya has come out to voice the leadership gap that exists in the Mulembe region, saying that it is the only region that lacks a clear leader.
While speaking during a roadside rally in Kanduyi on Friday, April 18, 2026, the outspoken Democratic Action Party deputy party leader cited other regions such as Ukambani, which has Kalonzo Musyoka as its regional kingpin.
Rift Valley, which has William Ruto as the community spokesman and leader; Nyanza region, which now has Oburu Odinga leading the lakeside community; and Mt. Kenya, which, according to him, has former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as the kingpin. However, when it comes to Western Kenya, he argued that there is no specific leader who can give the entire community direction.
“Shida ya hapa western ni nini, ukienda Nyanza wako na mzee oburu, ukienda ukambani wako na Kalonzo ukienda rift valley wako na ruto lakini hapa western sijui shida yetu ni nini” Natembeya lamented
He urged the Kanduyi locals to back and rally behind him as the community’s spokesman, saying that his experience as the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner makes him suitable to carry the mantle of community leadership in the Mulembe region.
He further stated that he is the best suited person to face President William Ruto on the ballot in 2027, saying that he has what it takes to send the President home.
George Natembeya has been slowly grooming himself as the spokesman of the community under his “Tawe” slogan, a rallying call that has been taking the region by storm.
Natembeya’s coronation
In 2025, he toured various parts of the region seeking blessings from different communities to endorse him as their spokesman.
first stop was at Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s Sabatia backyard, where he was symbolically endorsed as a community spokesman.
He then proceeded to the Wanga Kingdom, where elders linked to the Nabongo lineage also endorsed him and gave him blessings to represent the community at the national level.
He also visited the Teso community in Busia County, where he received similar blessings and endorsement as Western region spokesman.
These tours were expected to culminate in a regional event at Bukungu Stadium, where he was to be officially endorsed in the presence of other United Opposition leaders, but the event never took place.
Natembeya has been outspoken on the social ills and long-standing historical injustices that he says have been meted out on the Luhya people, insisting that 2027 is their time to express their political will and vote for one of their own.
Natembeya-Sifuna dominance
On the question of whether Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s influence will hamper or dim his political aspirations, Natembeya dismissed such claims, stating that although he and Sifuna advocate for similar issues, they operate in different political spaces.
According to him, Sifuna is more active on the national platform, while he is focused on the Western region.
Natembeya also announced that he will defend his Transnzoia gubernatorial seat in 2027 while also taking part in national politics to ensure the region secures representation at both levels.