Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has hit back at Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi over his claims that a political strategy was underway to block him from securing a second term in 2027. The remarks come as political temperatures rise ahead of the November 27 by-elections.
Speaking in an interview on Sunday, Natembeya dismissed the allegations, accusing Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula of engaging in empty political rhetoric that does not benefit the people of Western Kenya.
He urged the two leaders to redirect their energy toward championing development in the region rather than indulging in petty politics.
“The speed that they are intending to use to hound me out of office should be the speed they should use to bring development to our people. The duo (Mudavadi and Wetang'ula) have been in office for a joint period of 70 years, and yet the only special thing they have done is make arrangements to oust Natembeya,” he said.
Natembeya went further to challenge Mudavadi to field a candidate in Trans Nzoia in 2027, urging him not to stay at home but to personally campaign for the contender.
He dismissed Mudavadi’s political influence in the region, noting that the Luhya community has long been sidelined in senior government appointments, a situation Natembeya claims he worked to change.
According to the governor, his efforts led to the appointments of key officials from the region, including Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli and the Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen John Mugaravai.
Natembeya contrasted his contributions with Mudavadi’s, saying the PCS, despite his senior government role, has not delivered development even in his home area of Sabatia, Vihiga County.
“Whatever they are doing and planning is simply noise. Who told them that I must be the Governor? I diligently served the nation as an administrator for 26 years. They, despite being in government, never intervened even once for me to be promoted; it was all based on my service delivery,” he added.
The governor further accused Mudavadi of focusing more on undermining President William Ruto’s reelection prospects than on local development. He advised the PCS to concentrate on supporting Ruto rather than targeting him personally.
Mudavadi had announced over the weekend that a political strategy was in place aimed at containing the Tawe Movement leader by preventing him from securing a second term in Trans Nzoia.
This announcement coincided with former Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, who is also Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UN-Habitat, and former MP Chris Wamalwa declaring their intentions to challenge Natembeya at the ballot in the forthcoming elections.
