Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has stated that any leader from Western Kenya who is yet to defect to the opposition and is still in government should remain where they are.

While speaking in his county on Thursday, May 21, 2026, the outspoken governor urged them that there is no way they can continue to dine with the government when the people are suffering, only for them to defect and join the opposition at the last minute when it is nearing the electioneering period.

He urged Trans Nzoia locals to reject such leaders who are not currently part of the opposition team and only vote for those who are standing in solidarity with them. He criticised such leaders, saying that there comes a time when, as a leader, you should risk for your people, citing the proverb “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.

“Mtu asikuambie anangoja ngoja ifike next year; akufae kwa dhiki ndiye rafiki. Sahizi mnaumia, hao wanakula, hao watu wamechelewa. Yule ambaye hayuko kwa tmu yetu next year msimpatie kura,” he said.

Orwoba issues ultimatum

On the other side, in Kisii, former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba also echoed the same sentiments during the burial of Senator Richard Onyonka’s mother in Mosocho.

telling politicians from the Ekegusii community that they have an ultimatum up to May 25 and that if they have not defected to join them in the opposition by then, they should not do so later and should instead remain where they are and be ready to be voted out during next year’s general election.

She told them that they have limited time to rally behind former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who has already been endorsed by the Kisii elders as the leader and spokesman of the community, or risk being ousted.

She further told Matiang’i that he should not allow last-minute defections to his camp and that those who have shown solidarity with him since his return from the United States should be given priority above those who are still, in her words, dining with the oppressor.

In Mount Kenya as well, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also issued an ultimatum to those politicians who are yet to join his camp, saying that they have limited time to do so before he closes the door.

Mass defections

This comes at a time when political analysts are foreseeing a mass defection of leaders from the government after the budget is read in June. According to them, after the budget, the MPs will have nothing to fear since they will have already gotten what they wanted for their constituencies.

Mule’s view

On the other side, Matungulu MP Stephen Mule also echoed the same sentiments, saying that after August, there will be shifting political dynamics.

While speaking during an interview with a local TV station, the fourth-term MP stated that real political alignments will become visible after August, a period when it will be one year to the next general election.

He said that after August this year, reality will hit Parliament at the centre. He noted that no Member of Parliament will be afraid of being recalled or facing a by-election, nor will they fear being disciplined by their party.

He added that they will become more independent and will eventually realise that they must secure their own political future.

Mule said, “After August this year, the reality will hit Parliament at the centre; after August, no Member of Parliament will be afraid of being recalled, and no Member of Parliament will be afraid of a by-election or of being disciplined by the party; they will become independent, and then they will realise that they have to secure their future.”