Natembeya faults Wetang’ula over muddy houses in Kabuchai
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 17, 2025Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has faulted National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula over the high prevalence of mud houses in Bungoma County.
Speaking during a church service in Tongaren on Sunday, August 17, 2025, Natembeya said Bungoma has been left behind in development under Wetangula’s leadership.
He pointed out that areas such as Kabuchai still reflect extreme poverty, with many families living in mud houses, something he described as an embarrassment for the region.
According to Natembeya, even leaders from within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, after attending his mother’s funeral earlier this year, were shocked by the situation on the ground, with some comparing the sight of the mud houses to conditions found in refugee camps. He stressed that such conditions are a clear indicator of neglect and poor leadership.
“Ndugu yangu Wetangula tulipatia yeye nafasi akaenda huko, ata ukienda pale Kabuchai shida yenye iko huko ni aibu tu, hata wenzake wa kenya kwanza walipokuja hapo walisema hawajawahi one nyumba za matope kama hizo,” Natembeya stated.
Natembeya further stated that in other regions, such as houses, are long gone and a thing of the past, but in western Kenya, such structures are still being set up
“walipita just na ndege wakafikiri kwamba bungoma ni refugee camp maana pale ni nyumba za matope, uko nje hizo nyumba za matope watu waiacha kitambo sana”
The governor added that the Mulembe community contributes taxes just like other Kenyans, yet development in their region has not matched their contribution. He criticised local leaders, particularly Wetangula, for doing little to improve the living standards of their people despite holding influential positions in government.
Natembeya insisted that the people of Bungoma and the larger Western region deserve better infrastructure and social development, urging leaders to focus on meaningful change that uplifts the community.
Ditching RC role
He went ahead to state that its such conditions that prompted him to leave his regional commissioner job, so as he could offer a solution to such problems
“Na mimi nikiwacha kazi yangu kwa serikali nilkuwa napata pesa mingi. Mshahara ya RC na Mjumbe tofauti hakuna, ni 500 thousand, lakini mimi nikawacha, kwa sababu nilikuwa nimefanya kazi Kenya karibu kila mahali, naona vile watu wanaishi, naona vile viongozi wanaishi.”