Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Thursday, March 5, the outspoken governor said the two leaders are pursuing different political interests and represent different constituencies.
Natembeya stressed that mixing their political strategies could create confusion among their supporters.
According to the governor, his focus is mainly on championing the interests of the Mulembe region, which he believes has been sidelined in national development for many years.
He said his priority is to unite leaders and residents from Western Kenya so that the region can negotiate from a stronger position ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Sifuna has his own constituency, which is different from mine. I do not want to confuse my politics with Sifuna’s politics,” Natembeya stated during the interview.
Natembeya also dismissed speculation that Sifuna’s growing national influence could overshadow his own political ambitions. He maintained that the two leaders are working in different political spaces and their strategies do not intersect.
The governor further argued that Western Kenya already has enough numbers to give it significant bargaining power in future political negotiations. He said he is ready to represent the region’s interests at the national table and ensure it does not remain politically marginalised.
His remarks come at a time when political analysts have been comparing the Natembeya–Sifuna dynamic to past influential Luhya leaders such as Masinde Muliro and Michael Wamalwa Kijana, who once emerged as powerful voices from the region.
While Natembeya has focused his political activities largely within Western Kenya through regional rallies and consultations, Sifuna has been expanding his national reach through the “Linda Mwananchi” tours across several counties.
However, observers note that their political paths could still intersect in the future, especially as both leaders continue engaging with the emerging United Opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
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