By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 14 December 2025 - Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has once again positioned himself as a disruptive voice in Western Kenya politics, openly questioning the capacity of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to advance the interests of the Luhya community within President William Ruto’s broad-based government.
Speaking on Saturday, 13 December 2025, at the Iteso Leaders’ Conference held at Kitale National Polytechnic, Governor Natembeya argued that Mudavadi’s proximity to power has paradoxically weakened his political voice.
According to the governor, the Prime Cabinet Secretary is constrained by fear of dismissal, making him ineffective as a regional spokesperson.
Natembeya claimed that Western Kenya currently lacks a substantive advocate at the national level, claiming that Mudavadi cannot confront the political establishment forcefully enough to secure meaningful gains for the region.
In blunt remarks, he suggested that any attempt by Mudavadi to challenge the status quo would result in his removal from government, a risk the veteran politician is unwilling to take.
The comments reflect a broader and increasingly vocal critique from Natembeya, who has styled himself as a populist champion of what he terms the “liberation of the Mulembe Nation” from political marginalisation.
A former senior administrator, Natembeya has consistently framed Western Kenya’s place in national politics as one of exclusion, arguing that participation in government has not translated into influence over key decisions.
Using evocative language, the governor said communities from the region must sit at the national decision-making table as equals, rather than as passive beneficiaries of elite bargains. For Natembeya, marginalisation is not merely a matter of perception but a structural reality that, in his view, demands confrontation rather than accommodation.
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His remarks also resonated beyond the Luhya community, finding support among leaders from minority groups in Trans Nzoia County. Teso North Member of Parliament and Iteso community spokesperson, Okuu Kaunya, used the forum to highlight what he described as systemic underrepresentation of smaller communities in Kenya’s political hierarchy.
Kaunya called for the full implementation of the 2011 Mabanga Peace Accord, an agreement intended to promote harmony and equitable sharing of leadership positions among communities in parts of Western Kenya. He argued that the Iteso, alongside the Luhya and Sabaot communities, have historically received a disproportionately small share of political appointments and development opportunities in counties such as Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, and Busia.
Framing Natembeya as a trusted ally, Kaunya publicly urged the governor to speak on behalf of the Iteso people and to ensure that the spirit of the Mabanga Peace Accord is reflected in county-level governance. The appeal underscores Natembeya’s growing influence among communities that feel sidelined by both national and regional political elites.
The Iteso community, which leaders say has more than 75,000 registered voters in Trans Nzoia County, also made specific cultural and symbolic demands. They asked the county government to allocate space at the Kitale Museum for the establishment of an Iteso cultural centre, a move they see as recognition of their historical and cultural presence in the region.
In a clear political signal, community leaders pledged to support Natembeya’s bid for re-election in the 2027 gubernatorial race, tying their backing to his willingness to champion inclusivity and equitable representation.
Natembeya’s sharp criticism of Mudavadi is likely to deepen fault lines within Western Kenya politics, pitting a confrontational, grassroots-oriented approach against a more cautious strategy of working within the government. As the 2027 elections draw closer, the question of who legitimately speaks for Western Kenya—and how—appears set to become an increasingly central and contentious issue.
Natembeya Takes Aim at Mudavadi, Reignites Western Kenya Representation Debate
Natembeya: Mudavadi fearful of dismissal to effectively champion Luhya interests
