Why Eugene, Natembeya battle is set to intensify

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa./FILE

What began as a difference in leadership style and political strategy between Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa has now morphed into an open confrontation, threatening the unity and future of the party.

Natembeya, who was elected on a DAP–K ticket, has accused Wamalwa of micromanaging him and attempting to control his leadership from the party headquarters.

He claims that such interference has stifled his ability to serve the people of Trans Nzoia effectively.

However, Wamalwa and his allies have dismissed Natembeya’s accusations, describing them as a show of arrogance and betrayal.

They accuse the governor of turning his back on the party that sponsored him to power in 2022.

Natembeya’s growing assertiveness has made him one of the most outspoken opposition figures from Western Kenya.

Known for his blunt and fearless approach, the former regional commissioner has positioned himself as a vocal critic of the government and a champion of ordinary citizens.

His political star continues to rise nationally, with speculation mounting that he could play a pivotal role in Western Kenya’s political direction ahead of the 2027 general election.

Political observers now view Natembeya as a possible running mate to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka in the next presidential race, given his popularity, boldness and independence from established political kingpins in the region.

But this growing national stature appears to be unsettling Wamalwa, fuelling an escalating rift that threatens to fracture DAP–K at a crucial time.

Further, recent news reports indicate that President William Ruto is attempting to court Wamalwa to his side.

DAP-K National Executive Council member Dr Chris Barasa said efforts to bring the two together have so far borne little fruit, even with the formation of a nine-member committee to address the rift.

“The committee met three times but could not agree. We decided to postpone the meetings until after the Malava by-election on November 27 ,” Barasa said.

He said divisions deepened after one of Wamalwa’s representatives on the committee defected to the United Democratic Alliance.

“Wamalwa later brought in another person through the back door because the NEC did not recommend him,” Barasa added.

He said the rift between the two politicians is so deep that they cannot share a campaign platform for their party’s candidate in the Malava by-election, Seth Panyako.

“The day Eugene is in Malava for campaigns, Natembeya will not be seen anywhere,” he said, adding that even Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, who had been working with Wamalwa, has switched sides to campaign for UDA candidate David Ndakwa.

Despite the visible cracks, DAP-K secretary general Simiyu Eseli has downplayed the fallout, insisting the party remains united.

“Both are campaigning for our candidate, only in different areas,” he said, expressing optimism that the dispute would be resolved after the by-elections.

“Toward the end of the campaign, they will be together drumming up support for our party candidate.”

However, the cracks in DAP-K’s leadership became even more evident when Savula broke ranks with both Wamalwa and Natembeya.

Savula declared his support for UDA’s David Ndakwa instead of DAP-K’s Panyako, citing the need to back the “broad-based government” led by President William Ruto.

“I have decided to support Ndakwa, who is the Kenya Kwanza candidate in the race, in the spirit of the broad-based government,” Savula said.

He criticised Wamalwa and Natembeya for “shipping their fights” into the Malava campaign, saying their disunity was hurting the party’s image.

The internal friction has exposed DAP-K’s struggle to maintain cohesion as it seeks to expand its influence beyond Western Kenya.

In August, Wamalwa publicly challenged Natembeya and Mumias East MP Peter Salasya to face him in DAP-K’s presidential nomination race ahead of 2027, accusing unnamed members of plotting to wrest control of the party.

“If you want to become party leader or presidential candidate, you are welcome to face me for the presidential ticket in free and fair nominations,” Wamalwa declared.

Both Wamalwa and Natembeya remain publicly committed to supporting DAP-K’s candidate, but their frosty relationship and competing ambitions suggest that reconciliation may prove harder to achieve than party officials would like to admit.