Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya narrowly escaped an attack in Chwele Kabuchai Ward, while campaigning for independent MCA candidate Erick Wekesa, on Saturday, November 22, ahead of the November 27 Kabuchai Ward by-election.
Videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke show shattered windows on vehicles, including a police escort, amid reports of shots that scattered the crowd. The incident has heightened political tensions in the area and underscored the increasingly volatile nature of the by-election.
Confirming the attack, Natembeya’s Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) directly blamed the confrontations on goons allegedly linked to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, whose Ford Kenya party supports Vincent Maunda, a rival candidate.
In a statement on X, the party urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the National Police Service (NPS) to act, warning that silence could escalate political unrest.
"Governor Natembeya and a host of leaders were today attacked while campaigning for Erick Wekesa in Kabuchai Ward by goons associated with Speaker Wetang’ula," the party wrote.
Moments before the attack, Natembeya had publicly accused Wetang’ula of orchestrating the unrest witnessed in the area, intensifying a rivalry that has long shaped the region's political landscape.
IEBC had previously warned in a statement that individuals or parties found guilty of violating the electoral code of conduct, causing or orchestrating unrest, would face serious consequences, including disqualification.
The police service had also released a statement assuring voters of their safety during the by-election period.
Natembeya and Wetang'ula have long been political rivals and have been battling for influence in western Kenya, with both leaders criticising one another at any given point.
Their political battle comes amid calls for unity by other leaders from the region.
As the political temperature rises, Natembeya and Wetang’ula appear locked in a battle for influence in Western Kenya, with the Kabuchai by-election increasingly framed as a proxy test of their regional power.
The by-election was necessitated by the passing on of former MCA James Barasa on August 4, 2025.
Apart from Wekesa and Maunda, the by-election has also attracted other candidates from the ruling UDA party and Jubilee.
