Wetang’ula dismisses polls showing Natembeya ahead of him and Mudavadi as Luhya kingpin
By Luke Oluoch, January 22, 2026The National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetang’ula, has dismissed polls that position George Natembeya as the Luhya kingpin ahead of him and Musalia Mudavadi.
Speaking to local radio stations on Thursday, January 22, 2026, he questioned the credibility of such polls, which have placed Natembeya—who has been gaining growing appreciation across the Western region, including in Wetangula’s home turf of Bungoma—ahead of established leaders.
“I do not know the veracity of such polls. Everyone can come up with polls and numbers these days. What I know is that the taste of the pudding is in the eating. Will see what he (Natembeya) wants and what he can do,” he shrugged.
Wetangula refuted assertions that the Luhya community cannot unite under a single leader, pointing out that they have in the past debunked the idea when they unanimously rallied behind Kijana Wamalwa in the 2002 elections.
He similarly cautioned against personality-driven politics and debates over “kingship,” explaining why he has never endorsed or participated in the famous political gathering convened to “elect” Luhya spokespersons or leaders.
These include the Francis Atwoli-sanctioned 2016 Bukhungu Stadium meeting that endorsed then-ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi as the Luhya community’s spokesperson and top leader ahead of the 2017 elections, as well as the mid-2025 meeting in Vihiga that declared George Natembeya the Western regional spokesperson.
“The leadership in Western is not a contest between Musalia and me. Again, leadership has different dynamics. We have to stop profiling people and leaders. Let the acceptability of leaders be organic; leadership is a process and not just declarations. It is the people who embrace you and say you’re their leader and lend their support,” he shrugged.
Luhya leadership
His remarks come after he expressed his readiness to spearhead discussion and coalition-making efforts aimed at leveraging the community’s numbers for greater political impact.
“I want to be a president; I am sure Musalia also wants it, and many others too. When the time comes, we will talk, and I will lead the talks. I am not selfish. With time, things will evolve. In 2002, we did not caucus or retreat to say we would support Wamalwa; He emerged, and we walked within. So when the right comes, it will happen, and I will urge my brothers and rally forces,” he said.
“Our politics must tone down attacks on each other and on leaders. Let us talk and work together. We have had very different leaders at different times; they played their part and left the scene. Let us hold each other, unite, and work with everyone,” he added.