Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya is leading the Tawe -Luhya word for No- crusade that is ostensibly targeted at Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
The two, who are the senior most leaders from the community in the government, have been heavily criticised by Natembeya and leaders allied to him for allegedly abandoning the region.
A former regional commissioner, Natembeya has maintained that those criticising him for pointing out political mistakes of top western Kenya leaders are not genuine.
He has dismissed leaders from the region for “imposing themselves as kingpins” and doing nothing to elevate the status of the region.
Natembeya has further accused them of using their political parties to auction off the community’s political strength.
“Our Luhya leaders have never sacrificed for anybody. They ride on opportunism and use their political parties to trade the community’s voting power,” he said on February 21.
He maintains that Mudavadi and Wetangula, who’ve been in active politics for the longest, have not adequately served the interests of the Luhya nation and must pave the way for a crop of new leaders.
But speaking in Kakamega early February during a visit to the region, President William Ruto assured that no part of the country, including Western, will be left behind in terms of development.
Luanda MP Dick Maungu said Natembeya’s cause could be good for the region but the approach is wrong.
“The Trans Nzoia governor could be meaning well for the people of western but you do not despise your elders that way,” he said.
He said the Natembeya could convene the leaders he feels have let the region down for a talk on the way to move western forward.
“Leaders should come together, look at past mistakes amicably and discuss the way forward,” Maungu said.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, while noting that Natembeya is yet to engage him said the issues being raised by the Trans Nzoia governor and his allies are real and matters what the ordinary folks in western are talking about.
“People are talking about dwindling economic fortunes of western, undelivered promises, wanting leadership, things we cannot run away from,” he said.
Osotsi added that Mudavadi and Wetang’ula as considered the third in command in the government but Luhya people are not feeling it.
He said the two got into government and begun talking about succession politics.
“People were told there would be one manufacturing plant per county; on the ground nothing is happening. We are instead seeing moves to privatise Nzoia Sugar Company,” he said.
On February 4, however, Ruto affirmed that his administration will neither privatise nor sell any sugar factory as alleged by some politicians.
The Head of State said his administration will inject Sh3 billion to support cane development for farmers in the next financial year.
Osotsi added that the statements by Natembeya resonate with the thinking on the ground.
“People who are saying that he is not respectful are missing the point. Respect is a narrative being used as a defence for underperformance. Anytime one says the truth, you are branded disrespectful,” he added.
He added divergent voices should be encouraged as long as they objectives are clear and mean well for the society.
Ford Kenya secretary general John Chikati dismissed Natembeya, saying his intentions are not well intended for the community.
“Ford Kenya is coming to Trans Nzoia; that seat you are holding was Ford Kenya’s. We are going to compete,” Chikati, who is also the Tongaren MP, said.
He further told Natembeya to desist from mentioning Wetang’ula in his meetings.
“Ford Kennya does not talk about him. He should stop taking about Wetang’ula,” he added.
Political commentator, Joseph Mutua, said he does not expect the Tawe Movement to revolutionalise western politics.
“Their competition is hinged on supremacy for Western kingpin. Going by the history, chances are that none of them would cede the ground. So, at some point the battle will turn toxic and dirty. This will once again lead to divide of Luhya community,” he said.
Mutua added Natembeya has been facing a rebellion in his county of Trans Nzoia and is using Tawe Movement to reclaim his dwindling fortunes.
“His eyes are trained on retaining his gubernatorial seat in 2027. But politics is an interesting game,” he said.
Mutua added that Ruto can however change the political dynamics of the Western if he decides to pick the 2027 running mate from the region.
“One group will be forced to swallow their pride and quit. If not, they will be deserted by the people and earn a tag of traitor and spoiler,” he explained.
Natembeya has dismissed claims that he disrespects the National Assembly and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia.
The governor insisted that he was only pointing out errors of commission by the two leaders and his actions should not be misconstrued as attacks on the two leaders.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi is of the view that the young generation is poised to take over the leadership of western Kenya.
“The hurricane tornado storm is about to shower the western region . The atrocities committed to the people of Mulembe in successful governments and perpetuated by cowards masquerading as regions kingpin shall stop with our generation. We have a solemn duty to archive the history. It shall end with us here and now,” Amisi posted on X (formerly Twitter)
Osotsi reiterated that the issues being raised by Natembeya should not be ignored.
“Some of these people are always in harambes under Western Political Caucus. Harambees in the region every weekend will not bring development,” he said.
Osotsi nonetheless said he hopes Natembeya is genuine in his cause.
“I am neutral for now. I am however for a productive and progressive Luhya Nation,” he said.
The political differences between the governor and the Wetang’ula took an ugly turn when their supporters clashed during a burial ceremony in Trans Nzoia on March 23.
The violence prompted intervention by the police after the rival groups disrupted the burial ceremony of the wife to former nominated MCA Phillip Nyongesa.
Commenting on the incident, Wetangula called on the leaders, including Natembeya, to exercise restraint in public events, asserting that Kenya is a peaceful nation.
Natembeya, on his part, remained resolute in his commitment to advocating for the welfare of the region and the community.
He maintained that no amount of intimidation would stop him in his resolve to stand up for the people in the region.
Wetangula, addressing the issue at another event, said he is not a fan of engaging in a war of words with his colleagues.
He emphasised that his primary focus is on uniting the Luhya community, as well as the entire nation.
“I do not participate in verbal spats with other politicians,” he remarked at an event in Lugari, Kakamega county.
