Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has criticised Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya over remarks by the governor relating to the marginalisation of his community from national affairs.
Through a long-winded statement on his X platform released on Wednesday, July 9, Salasya accused Natembeya of failing to provide for his people in Trans Nzoia, instead using his political seat to advance his selfish interests.
Salasya was referencing a video of Natembeya’s interview on Spice FM, where the governor lamented about the lack of opportunities directed to his ethnic group, noting that it was high time the community stepped up to take its ‘rightful’ piece of the national cake.
Natembeya complained that members of his Luhya community mostly acquired menial jobs that did not have the desired pay, despite the community apparently being one of the largest in the country.
He pointed an accusing finger at some of the prominent leaders of the community, such as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, who he claimed had not done anything meaningful for the community despite their prolonged stay in the corridors of power.
This, according to Natembeya, was enough motivation to provide a catalyst for members of the Luhya community to rise above their perceived subordination and become opinion makers in the country.
However, Salasya took issue with the governor’s stance, challenging Natembeya to show what he has done to help the numerous jobless youths in Kitale gain meaningful employment.
“How many graduates have you sponsored to negotiate for jobs you are talking about? How many cottage industries have you created so far in your county that have employed those watchmen and maids you are talking about to give them decent jobs in your country?” Salasya challenged.
“Sports is a devolved function. How many football academies have you made, as Kitale is the champion of football, St Joseph, and St Antony? How many stadiums have you improved as governor to improve football?“ he further posited.
Salasya urged Natembeya to focus on the national collective and steer away from local politics so that every Kenyan could get equal opportunities.
“We want a country where everybody gets opportunities equally based on competence,” Salasya reiterated.
Natembeya is known to be a fierce critic of the William Ruto-led government and has positioned himself as the de facto Mulembe nation kingpin. During his appearance today at Spice FM, Natembeya proposed that a law be enacted that prevents any government official, led by the president, from engaging in privately owned businesses.
He asserted that barring government officials from conducting private businesses will give other citizens a chance to thrive in the business ecosystem, which he notes is dominated by politicians.
