In a social media post on Tuesday morning, October 7, Natembeya decried how political parties from outside the vote-rich region have benefited from the generosity of local voters without reciprocating.
The outspoken county boss, who is seeking to dethrone Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula as the region’s kingpin, said the November 27 mini polls in Malava Constituency, Kisa East Ward, and Kabuchai Ward will be his first major test.
“In Luhya land, we have demonstrated unmatched political generosity. We have consistently elected our sons and daughters even on tickets of other parties,” he wrote.
“Yet what happens afterward? Many of them are micromanaged and stripped of their independence, reduced to mere spectators in decisions that affect our people. This time, we will shape the Western political conversation," he added.
Natembeya outlined his first assignment for Western Kenya, pledging to deliver Malava Constituency to Seth Panyako, Kisa East Ward to Abraham Isaiah Ayaya, and Chwele/Kabuchai Ward to Eric Wekesa, an independent candidate.
“The time for political manipulation is over. The era of true representation has begun. It’s redemption time in Luhya land,” he declared.
Natembeya, who also serves as the Deputy Party Leader of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), has been actively campaigning in Malava for Panyako, who finished second in the 2022 general election.
Panyako faces stiff competition from UDA’s David Ndakwa, who defeated Ryan Injendi in party nominations last month.
A victory for Panyako would mark Natembeya’s first major win in his bid to challenge Mudavadi’s and Wetang'ula's dominance in the vote-rich region.
Panyako with DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa campaigning in Malava. [Photo/Courtesy]
In Kabuchai, the contest pits Wetang’ula’s FORD-Kenya candidate Vincent Maunda against an independent candidate backed by Natembeya’s DAP-K.
A win for the Natembeya-supported candidate in Kabuchai will send a strong message to Wetang’ula, considering that Bungoma, where the ward is located, has been his political bastion.
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