Chwele-Kabuchai by-election: Natembeya cuts short speech as gunfire, teargas disrupt his meeting
By Mabonga Makhanu, November 22, 2025Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya was forced to cut short his speech after his rally in Chwele, Kabuchai, was disrupted by unknown people.
What was originally a calm event held in Namakhele on Saturday, November 22, 2025, was abruptly stopped after unknown individuals stormed the rally, firing bullets and tear gas canisters.
This forced everyone present to scamper for safety, as clouds of tear gas smoke continued to cover the area. The incident occurred shortly after Natembeya, who had been welcomed into the constituency by area MP Majimbo and former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati Kalasinga for homestretch campaigns for independent candidate Erick Wekesa, was midspeech.
During his speech before the chaos, Natembeya had accused Moses Wetang’ula of being behind the political violence witnessed in the constituency.
He cited a similar incident in June when he was accompanied by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other United Opposition leaders during their Western Kenya tour. Upon reaching Chewele, their motorcade was attacked, leaving one Trans Nzoia MCA who was part of Natembeya’s entourage injured.
He said that while other regions experience peaceful by-elections, Kabuchai—where the Speaker hails from—has a different situation.
He criticised Wetang’ula, arguing that instead of being a custodian of the law, the Speaker is engaging in unlawful activities and suppressing dissenting or opposing voices, denying them a fair political playing field during campaigns.
“Ni aibu kubwa sana. Nimefanya mikutano mingi Kenya mzima; hakuna mahali kumekuwa na vita, ni hapa tu. Ambieni Wetang’ula, shame on you.”
“You preside over the National Assembly, where the law is made. You are supposed to be the custodian of the constitution; you should be at the forefront defending the law. allow people to assemble,” he said.
Majimbo’s claim
Recently, the host MP Majimbo, whose property was demolished a few weeks ago due to rising political intolerance that has marred the Chwele–Kabuchai ward by-election, linked the chaos to Ford Kenya members. They were allegedly behind the vandalism of his hotel in Chwele town.
He added that after the Speaker returned to the constituency from Nairobi, he had expected Wetang’ula to at least apologise for the chaos, but the Speaker was not remorseful and instead continued escalating their feud.