Trans Nzoia’s George Natembeya has stated that he will only accept a running mate post within the United Opposition if his Mulembe backyard agrees to turn up in large numbers to vote for the coalition in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during an interview with a vernacular media station on Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Trans-Nzoia County governor said he would only agree to deputise under the coalition, which is currently rebranding to the United Alternative Government, if his community rallies behind him and recognises him as its undisputed leader.

Natembeya explained that his main objective is to ensure that, in the event of a fallout within the government they seek to form, or if his community’s interests are not properly addressed, he would have the political strength to walk away with the full backing of his region.

“I will only accept being a running mate if the Western region agrees to back the United Opposition in the 2027 election. That way, if I demand anything for the community and it is denied, I can threaten to walk away with the entire region. This would create pressure and strengthen my bargaining power to secure what the community deserves.”

Voting as a block

According to him, such unity would give both him and the community stronger bargaining power should they demand anything.

He further argued that there would be no logic in him accepting the deputy president’s position if his Western Kenya base votes in the opposite direction.

“If they push me to become Deputy President but then vote in the opposite direction, they will still blame me for failing to deliver and for not fighting for the community, yet we would not have the numbers in government to influence decisions.”

He cited Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula as examples, claiming that leaders who lack overwhelming regional backing often struggle to effectively negotiate for their people’s interests within government.

Natembeya maintained that if the Luhya community does not give him the necessary political weight and consolidated support, he will decline any running mate offer and instead focus on defending his gubernatorial seat in Trans-Nzoia.

Natembeya’s Luhya Kingpin quest

His remarks come just days after he toured parts of western Kenya, meeting community leaders in what appeared to be a push to consolidate his position as the region’s spokesperson at the national level. Plans had earlier been floated for his coronation as the Luhya kingpin at Bukhungu Stadium, although the event did not materialise.

He also recently announced that in 2027 he intends to play both national and county-level politics to ensure that the people of Trans-Nzoia are effectively represented at both levels of government.