Roots party leader George Wajackoyah appeared disappointed after Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya snubbed the opposition’s rally in Kitale Town on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

The rally dubbed ‘People’s Baraza’ was attended by Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga and several prominent politicians including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua (Narc Kenya), Eugine Wamalwa (Democratic Action Party) and embattled Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni among others.

Conspicuously missing was Natembeya, who was elected governor of Trans Nzoia county on the Democratic Action Party ticket in the last general election.

When Wajackoyah was invited to the podium to make his remarks he appeared concerned over Natembeya’s absence at the event attended by his party boss Eugine Wamalwa.

A visibly angry Wajackoyah told the former Rift Valley regional commissioner that he owes his success in the last gubernatorial contest to Raila.

Wajackoyah breathing fire

He warned the county boss to toe the line or risk losing his seat in the next general election set for August 2027.

“Governor wa hapa akae akijua Baba (Raila) ndiye alimpeleka kwa governorship. Governor wa hapa akae akijua kwamba next election Eugine eeh… (The local governor should know that it’s Raila who helped him ascend to the governorship),” Wajackoya said, further alluding that the opposition would front Wamalwa for the governor’s seat in the next election.

Governor Natembeya is among county bosses who have pledged to work with President Ruto’s administration for the benefit of the electorate, amid protests from the opposition over the legitimacy of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The governor was among leaders hosted by President William Ruto at State House Nairobi on Thursday for consultative talks on the economy.

“Together with my colleagues, Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Industry and Investment Mr. Moses Kuria and Development Partners, we had a Consultative meeting with H.E President William Samoei Ruto on the promotion of trade, strengthening of market linkages and establishment of aggregation centres and industrial parks in counties,” Natembeya said in a statement after the meeting.

“We agreed to work together to promote investment and trade in both domestic and international platforms to stimulate the country’s economic growth. My administration pledges to support such initiatives for the betterment of the people of Trans Nzoia.”

He is a member of the Azimio coalition which claims its presidential candidate, Raila, was rigged out in the last election.

The opposition has in recent weeks held rallies in several counties to protest against what they term as electoral injustice and punitive policies by Ruto’s government.