Political tensions in Western Kenya have reached a boiling point after Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya survived a violent attack in Bungoma on Saturday, triggering a storm of accusations, counter-threats, and fresh 2027 election bids—all unfolding within hours of each other.
Governor Natembeya attacked
Chaos erupted in Chwele Ward, Kabuchai, when armed goons ambushed Governor Natembeya and his convoy during a campaign event for MCA aspirant Eric Wekesa.
The attackers also descended on the home of Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, destroying property and injuring several supporters.
Viral footage showed vehicles in Natembeya’s convoy riddled with damage, with the governor alleging that he was shot at “with live ammunition”. Speaking while inspecting the destruction at Kalasinga’s residence, Natembeya directly linked the attack to his political rival, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
“This is primitive. This is not politics,” the governor said. “Your leader in the National Assembly is sending goons to destroy an MP’s house because of political differences.”
Natembeya claimed that the assailants were targeting his life and dared Wetang’ula to confront him directly instead of “hiding behind rogue police officers”.
“If an MP is not safe in his own home, what about an ordinary Kenyan? I was almost finished there with bullets,” he declared.
DAP-K leaders swiftly condemned the attack, urging the police and the IEBC to intervene and stop what they termed escalating political violence in Kabuchai.
Mudavadi warns Natembeya of ‘fierce 2027 battle’
Hours after the attack, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi issued a blistering political warning to Natembeya, signalling that Kenya Kwanza is preparing an aggressive campaign to unseat him in 2027.
Speaking at a public event, Mudavadi dismissed claims that national leaders had been politically passive and instead vowed that the coalition would front a “very strong” candidate to remove Natembeya from office.
“Even that one walking around here called Natembeya—I want to tell him that in 2027 we will field a dangerous candidate in Trans Nzoia who will show him the door,” Mudavadi said.
He cautioned the governor against what he termed provocative behaviour, suggesting Natembeya was exposing himself politically.
“If you live in a glass house, do not throw stones,” Mudavadi added, accusing the first-term governor of displaying arrogance and acting as if he had already attained national prominence.
His remarks add to the escalating feud between Natembeya and senior Kenya Kwanza leaders, whom he has repeatedly accused of neglecting the Western region despite holding powerful positions.
Nakhumicha, Wamalwa declare governoship bids against Natembeya
Meanwhile, the race to unseat Natembeya intensified after former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa announced their joint intention to challenge him for the Trans Nzoia governorship.
The two, both allied to the Kenya Kwanza coalition, made their declarations during a meeting with Luhya elders, signalling the start of a coordinated effort to front a strong candidate against Natembeya.
Wamalwa said he had begun holding consultations to popularise his bid, noting that while Trans Nzoia is cosmopolitan, he was seeking support from the Luhya community first—one of the county’s biggest voting blocs.
“My journey to become the next Governor of Trans Nzoia begins today,” he said.
Nakhumicha, now Kenya’s permanent representative to UN-Habitat, said she had been given her clan’s blessings to drop her Woman Representative ambitions and seek the governorship.
“They have removed me from the Woman Rep bid and advised me to run for governor,” she announced, adding that the Constitution allows any Kenyan to seek any leadership position.
Both aspirants will first battle for the Ford-Kenya ticket before taking on Natembeya, who is seeking re-election on a DAP-K ticket after abandoning his short-lived presidential bid.
Political observers believe Nakhumicha’s entry into the race is a strategic move engineered by Speaker Wetang’ula to tame Natembeya’s rising influence, especially after the governor aggressively campaigned against both Wetang’ula and Mudavadi across the Western region.
