Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has refuted claims of an initiative to form a new political party aimed at representing Western Kenyan politicians.
Addressing the media, Governor Natembeya clarified the intentions behind recent gatherings of regional leaders, emphasizing that the focus is on addressing leadership gaps and the needs of the community rather than establishing a new party.
"We are trying to look at the status of the leadership of Western Kenya in this government," said Natembeya.
"As current leaders, we have noted a leadership gap in Western Kenya. Some leaders have been there before, but we think they do not critically address the needs of the community, and that is why we have begun that conversation. We have laid down plans so that our people can feel part of the governance of Kenya."
Natembeya stressed that the meetings are not about forming a new party but about fostering unity and addressing community needs.
"We are not making a party; it is just a process, and as leaders, we just meet to talk about things that bring us together. If it is about parties, we have so many parties. For now, what is urgent is not about parties but the needs of the community," he explained.
UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala echoed Natembeya's sentiments, highlighting the focus on understanding and representing the community's interests.
"We have not looked at parties; we have met as new generation leaders to analyze because there are emerging political alignments, and we are trying to see the interest of our community. The leaders who have been there before did not represent the interests of our communities well," said Malala.
Malala further detailed plans to engage with grassroots leaders to chart a way forward for the community.
"We have agreed to go back to the people and get to understand what they want. We are going to have a meeting of all grassroots leaders in the Western Region from the five counties on Monday in Kakamega to chart the way forward as a community and as the new generation leaders," Malala disclosed.
The upcoming meeting in Kakamega is expected to bring together leaders from across the Western Region to discuss strategies for better representing and addressing the needs of their communities.
The leaders aim to ensure that the region's voices are heard and that the community feels an integral part of Kenya's governance.
