Natembeya Says Western Kenya Will Unite Behind New Party to Strengthen Region’s Political Bargaining Power
PoliticsUpdated: 04 July 2026 17:34 EAT
Photo courtesy : Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya addressing mourners
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has urged leaders and residents of Western Kenya to unite politically ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing that the region must speak with one voice to increase its influence in national politics
Speaking during the burial of Eric Wamboka in Bumula Constituency, Bungoma County, Natembeya said the region is working towards establishing a political party that will unite the Luhya community and strengthen its negotiating position
“Hapa kwetu Western… mtu asiwadanganye kwamba kutakuwa na chama kingine. Ile chama anatembea anakuja nayo na Sifuna, hiyo ndio chama yetu… tumekubaliana kuanzia Vihiga mpaka kule Busia.”
Natembeya said the proposed party would provide Western Kenya with a common political platform instead of relying on parties formed in other regions
He argued that Kenya’s politics are organised around regional voting blocs and said Western Kenya should build its own political base before negotiating national alliances
“Our politics is organized regionally, lazima ukuwe na power base nyumbani alafu uende kwa meza, hakuna dhambi hapo.”
The governor said the Western region should vote as a bloc in the 2027 election, insisting that political unity would guarantee the community a stronger voice in national leadership discussions
“Sisi tumesema ya kwamba kama jamii, mwaka wa 2027 tunapiga kura pamoja.”
Natembeya maintained that Western Kenya deserves greater national representation, noting that the Luhya community is among Kenya’s largest populations but has never produced a president
“Jamii ya Mluhya ilikosea Kenya nini?… Jamii ambayo ni namba mbili katika idadi ya watu… saa hizi hata maswala ya kitaifa yakiongelewa kwenye meza sisi hatupo.”
He said the region would demand a fair opportunity during opposition negotiations over the 2027 presidential candidate
“Kama sio Mluhya anakuwa president, wale wenzetu watuambie ni kwa nini Mluhya hawezi kuwa president wakati huu.”
Natembeya also called on opposition leaders to field a single presidential candidate against President William Ruto instead of presenting multiple candidates
“Hatutakubali tukuwe na mirengo karibu mitatu… tukuwe na kiongozi mmoja ikifika wakati huo.”
The governor said he had already raised the issue during discussions with opposition leaders, arguing that unity would improve their chances in the next election
He criticized what he described as symbolic government appointments, saying Western Kenya should pursue meaningful political influence instead of ceremonial positions
“Hii mambo… cheo ya Wetang’ula… ni vitu fake.”
Natembeya alleged that senior government officials had intensified campaigns against him because of his growing political influence in Western Kenya
“Yule mtu ambaye ameweka mstari wa mbele kusimamia kampeni yake… ameongeza hiyo kampeni… president hakuna kitu hapa anaona.”
The governor accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of failing to protect key regional assets, citing the sale of Nzoia Sugar Company and Pan Paper
“Wameuza Pan Paper imeenda, wameuza Nzoia imeenda… watu wote ambao walikuwa wanafanya kazi hapo Nzoia wote wamefutwa kazi.”
He also claimed the Bungoma airstrip was earmarked for commercial development, saying residents risk losing another strategic public asset
Natembeya argued that every major Kenyan region has consolidated behind influential political leaders and said Western Kenya should do the same
“Ukikuja hapa Nyanza… Ukienda kule Ukambani… Ukienda kule Mlimani… Hapa kwetu Western mbona mnataka hata Sifuna akuje aombe kura hapa?”
He dismissed claims that regional political unity amounts to tribal politics, insisting that it is a legitimate strategy for strengthening bargaining power
“Mluhya akikuja pamoja ati ni ukabila. Sio ukabila.”
Natembeya urged Western Kenya leaders to overcome political divisions and work together to demonstrate the region’s electoral strength in 2027
“Tunataka 2027 taifa la Kenya lione kwamba Mluhya anaweza kuja pamoja.”
The governor further argued that President Ruto can be defeated through a united opposition, saying no incumbent is guaranteed re-election under Kenya’s Constitution
“Katiba ya Kenya inatupatia nafasi ya kuchagua viongozi baada ya miaka mitano.”
He called on voters to participate in large numbers during the next election and pledged to help safeguard the integrity of the electoral process
“Hakuna kura yetu inaenda kuibwa.”
Natembeya also appealed to supporters to financially back opposition leaders instead of criticizing those with fewer campaign re
“Kama Sifuna hana pesa, nyinyi mko na jukumu ya kutafutia Sifuna pesa, sio kwenda kumkejeli.”
He concluded by urging Western Kenya residents to remain united, saying political cohesion would enable the region to secure a stronger position at the national decision-making table after the 2027 General Election
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST.
DATA MINING AT IT’S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
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