Natembeya meets Savula, extends rallying call for Western progress
By Mabonga Makhanu, September 8, 2025Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya held talks on Monday, September 8, 2025, held talks with the Kakamega Deputy Governor, who also doubles as the Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) deputy party leader, at his Trans Nzoia county offices.
The two, alongside DAP-K nominated MCA Joel Okwako, paid a courtesy call to the governor.
Natembeya later on released a statement acknowledging the meeting, stating that:
“Today, I had the honour of hosting the Deputy Governor of Kakamega, Hon. Ayub Savula Angatia, together with Hon. Joel Okwako, the DAP-K nominated MCA representing the youth of Kakamega County, during a courtesy call. Our discussions were both insightful and impactful, centred on advancing the aspirations of our people and strengthening the progress of our community,” he said.
Savula seems to be behind Natembeya, pushing him to take over Western Kenya and DAPK leadership.
During the National Executive Council meeting that was held at the DAPK party headquarters in Karen, meant to iron out the issues that had arisen as a result of the power struggle between Eugene Wamalwa and his deputy Natembeya, he was spotted together with the governor, with a small faction allied to the governor holding a different presser, raising different concerns that were not part of the main presser.
Savula, during the presser, appeared to side with Natembeya and proposed that minipolls be set up to evaluate who between the two has political prowess in the region, and the winner should be the one assuming the party leadership.
Natembeya has, over the recent past, established himself as a defender for the interests of the Mulembe nation, with him vowing to pay any political price for the sake of his people.
Kakamega politics
This also comes at a time when there are heated political temperatures in Kakamega County. Savula recently urged Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary and former governor Wycliffe Oparanya to concentrate on national politics and leave county politics alone.
Speaking during an event in Lugari on Sunday, September 7, 2025, Savula criticised the CS, saying he is always preoccupied with local politics and rarely steps outside Kakamega despite being a national leader.
Savula added that Oparanya’s time in Kakamega politics was over, noting that he had already served as an MP for 10 years and as governor for another 10 years. He argued that the CS should now be eyeing national positions such as the presidency instead of interfering with the work of the current governor, whom he himself influenced voters to elect.
He further urged Oparanya to emulate National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who regularly travels across the country to attend functions with other national leaders, unlike Oparanya, who is constantly moving from one sub-county to another, attacking Governor Fernandes Barasa.