Saturday 08th March, 2025 06:17 PM|
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has urged leaders from Western Kenya to unite, warning that disorganization might price the area politically, together with future prospects for the presidency.
Speaking on the burial of former IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati on March 8, 2025, Natembeya emphasised that with no united entrance, Western Kenya’s presidential ambitions would stay unfulfilled whereas different communities proceed to dominate the political panorama.
“I have always spoken about our people coming together, and some see that as tribalism. It is not tribalism. Coming together, like we have today, is not tribalism. Tribalism is favouritism—when you say someone should get something simply because they belong to a particular community. That is tribalism,” Natembeya said.
United entrance
He burdened that Western Kenya, being a cosmopolitan area, faces shared challenges, making it crucial for leaders to work together towards collective political bargaining energy.
“We want all communities in the Western region to unite, and you know we are cosmopolitan. Everyone lives in Western, and we suffer the same problems,” he stated.
While referring to the current political alliance between President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Natembeya cautioned that Western Kenya leaders threat turning into mere spectators in nationwide politics in the event that they fail to consolidate their voting bloc.
“If you continue behaving as you are, events like the one that happened yesterday between President William Ruto and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will continue to happen, and as Western Kenya, mtakuwa mnaangalilia kwa Viusasa,” he warned.
Natembeya burdened that unity would give the area extra political affect, guaranteeing that any nationwide chief participating with Western Kenya acknowledges its collective voice.
“We have to be united so that even if the President wants to speak to Western Kenya, he knows that by speaking to one leader, he is speaking to the entire region. The same way he speaks to Raila knowing he is addressing a whole community—we need to be like that. This disorganization must end,” he said.
Speak with one voice
Natembeya’s remarks echo former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s advice to the Western Kenya region to reassess its voting developments.
Speaking on February 4, 2025, Gachagua said that Western Kenya is a vote-rich bloc, arguing that the area has the potential to supply the nation’s president, however its voting patterns have traditionally been divided.
He identified that the area typically offers votes to Raila Odinga whereas solely a small portion helps Musalia Mudavadi, with the remainder voting for different candidates on the poll.
“The Mulembe Nation can secure a place at the helm of Kenya, but it will depend on how they organize themselves. This quest for the presidency cannot be achieved without unity. Come together and speak with one voice, because in the past, you have split your votes. Your divided votes are not benefiting the Mulembe Nation; some support Raila Odinga, others support Musalia, and some vote for others. This division makes your votes meaningless,” Gachagua argued.
He additional claimed that the Western area appears to have been sidelined within the authorities, regardless of having numerous voters and a major inhabitants.
“You have nearly five million votes, which is the second largest in Kenya. Yet, if you look at how the government is structured, you are not even in the top five. The government arrangement does not reflect your population and vote count. That’s why I have been advocating for you; your representatives have been misled and have not been acting in your best interests,” Gachagua stated.