Natembeya: Ruto will set example as first incumbent president to be voted out
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 23, 2026George Natembeya, the governor of Trans Nzoia, has stated that William Ruto will set an example as the first president in Kenya’s history to be voted out after serving a single term.
While speaking during a United Opposition tour of the Kisii region in Keumbu, the outspoken Deputy Party Leader of the Democratic Action Party – Kenya (DAP-K) dismissed the narrative that it is difficult to unseat an incumbent head of state. He argued that even the Constitution of Kenya envisions a leader serving for five years before seeking re-election, adding that Ruto would be the one to set that precedent.
“Ruto atakuwa mfano kwamba inawezekana kumuondoa rais ambaye yuko kwa kiti.” Natembeya
According to Natembeya, no head of state in Kenya’s history has served only one term, and he claimed that Ruto, whom he accused of failing the nation, would be the one to break that trend and pave the way for future leaders.
He also called for electoral reforms at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), stating that constituency tallying centre results should be final for all elective seats, rather than transmitting the final tally to Bomas of Kenya for declaration. He argued that the current system provides an avenue for election rigging.
United oppositions Gusii tour
His remarks came during the United Opposition’s tour of the Gusii region, where they joined their counterparts under the rebranded United Alternative Government coalition for a three-day tour in what is considered Matiang’i’s political backyard.
The leaders began their day with a stopover in Narok Town, where they allowed Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), to acknowledge greetings from locals. The residents had recently voted for DCP candidate Douglas Masikonde, who won the Member of County Assembly seat in the recently concluded November by-election.
They then proceeded to Mulot and Bomet Town for a series of rallies before heading to Ekerenyo in Nyamira County, where they joined Fred Matiang’i.
It was at the historic Ekerenyo Grounds where Matiang’i was crowned the Abagusii elder and spokesman by the community’s council of elders.
Natembeya-Wamalwa feud
This development also comes at a time when Natembeya and his DAP-K party leader, Eugene Wamalwa, appear to have shelved their feud that dominated much of 2025. The disagreement had escalated to the extent that the party’s National Executive Committee convened to address it.
However, since the beginning of the year, the two leaders have been working together and have been spotted at several political events side by side—contrasting sharply with last year, when they could hardly share the same political platform.