Wetang’ula’s backing of Nakhumicha sparks political storm in Trans Nzoia

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s endorsement of former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha for the Trans Nzoia governor’s seat has triggered sharp political reactions.

A section of leaders and residents has dismissed the endorsement, arguing county voters will decide who succeeds at the ballot.

Among the critics is former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, an aspirant for the governor’s seat and once a close ally of Wetang’ula.

Wamalwa said the race for the county’s top seat was not a personal affair and warned against attempts by outsiders to influence local political choices.

“Let Wetang’ula keep off Trans Nzoia affairs and deal with his personal interests without involving Trans Nzoia county,” Wamalwa said.

Governor George Natembeya also brushed aside the endorsement, terming it irrelevant.

Wetang’ula endorsed Nakhumicha during the Trans Nzoia Elders and Opinion Leaders Conference last Friday.

The elders also backed her bid to contest the governorship on a Ford Kenya ticket.

“I urged residents to support her vision for transformative leadership and accelerated development in the county,” Wetang’ula said.

The Ford Kenya party leader said Nakhumicha’s leadership vision aligned with the county’s development priorities and urged residents to rally behind her candidature.

Nakhumicha, a former Health CS and Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UN-Habitat, is seeking to unseat Natembeya in next year's election.

Wetang’ula said he was endorsing her as Ford Kenya’s preferred candidate for the seat.

Nakhumicha expressed confidence in her chances, saying she had the capacity to challenge Natembeya and win.

Her endorsement came as the race for the Trans Nzoia governorship gathers momentum, with more candidates declaring interest ahead of next year’s polls.

Businesswoman Dorcas Njenga recently joined the contest, becoming the second woman after Nakhumicha to declare her candidature.

An ally of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (deceased), Njenga has joined the Jubilee Party led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and plans to seek the seat on its ticket.

“I will be in the race to lead Trans Nzoia and I have the full support of the Jubilee Party. I am ready and set to face my opponents at the ballot,” she said.

Njenga has pledged to transform Trans Nzoia into an agro-industrial hub if elected.

She joins a growing list of contenders that includes Nakhumicha, Natembeya, former Wamalwa and current Kiminini MP Maurice Bisau.

Wamalwa unsuccessfully challenged Natembeya in the 2022 election.

With about eight months remaining before party primaries, aspirants have intensified grassroots campaigns, each vowing to unseat the incumbent governor.

Natembeya has declared he will defend his seat, saying he wants a second term to complete projects already initiated and fulfil his vision of tackling poverty, disease and other challenges facing residents.

“As we go to elections next year, God willing, I will still work with the people of Trans Nzoia as we also seek to remove the current regime from power and save our country from bad leadership,” he said recently.

The governor has dismissed his rivals as “hirelings” sent by political interests with little concern for the welfare of residents.

Before Njenga entered the race, Natembeya claimed three individuals were traversing the county on behalf of political masters to influence voters ahead of the election.

“I do not want to name the three because they do not deserve mileage from being mentioned as those seeking to remove me. However, I want my people to know that those are hyenas in sheep’s skins. They have been sent by the same masters in Ford Kenya,” he said.

Political activity has intensified across the county as potential candidates position themselves for the highly anticipated contest.

Natembeya’s opponents have accused him of spending more time on politics than on development since taking office.

The governor, however, maintains his administration has launched and completed several projects despite operating without support from the national government.

“They have been sent with a lot of money and I urge you to ensure you take the cash but prepare to vote wisely next year,” Natembeya said.

He said his achievements had been financed through county resources and insisted residents should not be swayed by politicians serving external interests.

Instant analysis

The backlash against Moses Wetang’ula’s endorsement of Susan Nakhumicha underscores the increasingly competitive and fragmented battle for the Trans Nzoia governorship. Rather than consolidating support, the endorsement has given rivals an opportunity to frame the contest as a choice between local voter autonomy and perceived external political influence. With Governor George Natembeya seeking re-election and a growing field of challengers, including Chris Wamalwa and Dorcas Njenga, the race is shaping up to be one of the county’s most closely watched political contests. The early exchanges suggest that alliances, party loyalty and regional influence will play a central role in campaigns ahead of 2027.