The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) has finally spoken out on the escalating tensions between party leader Eugene Wamalwa and his deputy George Natembeya.
In a statement shared on X by DAP-K on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, the party dismissed claims that the two leaders were at loggerheads.
"For those of you who were preying on dividing our Party by driving a wedge between our oparty leader EugeneWamalwa, and our deputy party leader George Natembeya and DAP-K and TAWE Movement, now you have your answer!" the statement read.
The party insisted it remains united despite months of public feuding noting that "DAP-K is TAWE and TAWE is DAP-K", one indivisible Party with a strong resistance slogan.
The rift between the two Western Kenya heavyweights has been brewing since early 2025.
Wamalwa has been under intense pressure from regional leaders to dissolve DAP-K and support President William Ruto's 2027 re-election bid.
Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya strongly opposes any alliance with Ruto's camp. He has also accused Wamalwa of trying to micromanage his administration from party headquarters.
"Autocratic leadership" was how Natembeya's faction described Wamalwa's style in a petition seeking his removal.
Wamalwa's allies hit back, accusing Natembeya of arrogance and betrayal.They launched a counter-petition demanding Natembeya's ouster as Deputy Party Leader.
The crisis deepened in August 2025 when Secretary General Dr. Eseli Simiyu admitted to a "serious dispute" within the party. She referred the matter to the Internal Disputes Resolution Committee within the DAP-K Party.
Wamalwa's faction has also claimed that Natembeya is being backed by state operatives seeking to weaken the opposition.
Natembeya, through his "Tawe" movement, has positioned himself as a regional kingpin challenging Wamalwa's dominance in Western Kenya.
He has threatened to quit DAP-K and launch his own political vehicle if his demands for party reforms are not met.
By early 2026, the dispute has evolved into an open confrontation for party control and regional influence.
Despite DAP-K's public assurances, the feud shows no signs of cooling down.
