Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya hosted more than 100 elders from Vihiga county at his Kitale home in a push to unite the Luhya community ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The elders said they were equally determined to forge a united front to ensure the community’s political strength counts in the next polls.
They invited Natembeya to visit Vihiga county on Saturday for a follow-up meeting that will bring together more stakeholders from the county, which is the political backyard of Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi.
Natembeya said the meeting with Vihiga elders marked the beginning of major political changes in western Kenya, claiming the region had suffered underdevelopment due to poor leadership.
“We are determined to ensure our region will not be the same after the next elections,” he said.
“We will speak with one voice and go to the negotiating table as a unit.”
He dismissed Kenya Kwanza leaders who accused him of playing tribal politics.
Those same leaders are actively uniting their own communities while seeking to frustrate Luhya unity, he said.
“All other communities have leaders who speak for them, but some leaders thrive on seeing the Luhya divided,” Natembeya said.
“This time, we will stand to be counted. We are not backing down from uniting our people.”
He said meaningful development can only be achieved through political power, accusing past Luhya leaders of failing to push for the region’s progress and instead pursuing selfish interests.
Natembeya has been advancing his Tawe movement, which he says seeks to unite the Luhya community.
He announced plans to hold meetings with elders from across the region, including Bungoma, Busia and Kakamega, to chart the community’s political future.
The outspoken governor vowed to continue pushing for what he believes are the rights of the region and the wider country, even if those in power attempt to frustrate him.
He also signalled his ambition to vie for the presidency, saying residents of western Kenya are tired of leaders settling for less influential political positions after every election.
One of the elders, Ken Kibisu from Vihiga, said they believe Natembeya is best placed to lead the Luhya community because of his courage, focus and commitment to unity.
“We have asked him to take up the leadership role for our people and region,” Kibisu said, adding that they were ready to host him in Vihiga as a show of support.
