Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, a key figure within the United Opposition, has been making moves that suggest he may be edging closer to the government he has long been critical of. In politics, nothing happens by coincidence.

Recently, Wamalwa attended a funeral in the company of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula in TransNzoia, who took the opportunity to signal a possible reconciliation among leaders from the Western region, including those aligned with the state.

Wetang’ula reminded attendees that in politics, there are no permanent enemies or permanent friendships, and that interests often take precedence over loyalty.

According to the DAP-K leader, what unites these leaders, whether in opposition or government, is the shared interests of the Mulembe region.

When Wetang’ula spoke, he acknowledged the olive branch extended by Wamalwa. He made it clear that he, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi were already aligned with the government side and encouraged Wamalwa to join them.

“Eugene, I agree. Let’s unite. I have talked with Oparanya, I have talked with Musalia, and if you look at how we are, Musalia, Oparanya, and I are on one side, and that is why you should come to where we are so that we can build a huge team so that we can bargain harder and better,” he said.

Wetang’ula even went further, stating that in the future, should one of them have the upper hand in a presidential race, the others would shelve their ambitions to support their brother in claiming the top seat.

He outlined an emerging alliance aimed at rallying the Mulembe region behind the President, explicitly urging Wamalwa to join the fold.

On the heels of these remarks, Wamalwa met with CS Oparanya, a key ally of President William Ruto. He took to social media to hint at continued collaboration with Oparanya. writing:

“Delighted to catch up with my brother CS @DrOparanya, with whom I have worked closely in the past and intend to continue working with in the future, in our quest for the unity and prosperity of the Mulembe Nation and the greater Kenyan Nation. Watch this space!” Wamalwa stated.

This cannot be a coincidence. In Kenyan politics, defections often start subtly, with politicians first aligning themselves with opponents before fully embracing the side they once criticised.

Wamalwa’s actions have fuelled speculation that he may be preparing to leave the United Opposition, recently rebranded as the United Alternative Government by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and join the government.

Luring Wamalwa to govt

Wamalwa has, however, publicly refuted these claims. He insists that he cannot abandon the opposition to support President Ruto.

He revealed that there have been repeated attempts to lure him into government through proxies, including proposals to revive the Justice and Cohesion Ministry so he could serve as a Cabinet Secretary, similar to his role in the Kibaki government before the 2010 Constitution.

Wamalwa also stated that he was once approached to take up the Defence Cabinet Secretary position after Aden Duale’s reshuffle, only to be offered the Environment and later the Health docket, offers he refused.

According to him, these speculations are mere propaganda, a strategy aimed at pressuring him to join the government and indirectly support Ruto’s reelection.

Wamalwa Oparanya meeting

The repeated patterns and political signalling, however, cannot be ignored. Wamalwa’s measured statements, combined with visible coordination with government-aligned figures like Oparanya, suggest a careful balancing act.

On one hand, he publicly denies any intention of joining the government; on the other, his actions hint at a readiness to collaborate with the very side he once opposed.

In Kenyan politics, such dual positioning is rarely accidental.

Natembeya Wamalwa wrangles

With this coming at a time when he is at loggerheads with his deputy party leader, George Natembeya, over the leadership of the party, where Natembeya wants to take over as party leader. This has come at a moment when Natembeya is enjoying political clout, and the Mulembe locals seem to be slowly embracing him and want him to be the leader.

Their feud has escalated to higher levels, forcing the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to convene an eight-member committee to look into their dispute.

Wamalwa might be crafting his own space and shunning supremacy battles with his deputy, whom he brought into politics and worked tirelessly to see him elected as TransNzoia governor.