Natembeya Explains Absence from Gachagua, Kalonzo, and Wamalwa Political Rallies
TRANS NZOIA, KENYA — June 6, 2025:
Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya has finally spoken out on his absence from a series of rallies organized by key opposition figures including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Democratic Movement–Kenya leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP–Kenya) patron Eugene Wamalwa.
Natembeya said he is currently focused on fulfilling his official mandate as an elected county governor rather than politicking, which he described as premature and counterproductive at this time.
“We have this political formation of former deputy president, Hon Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa who are all working together. People are asking why Natembeya is not being seen in these rallies, is he charting his own course?” Natembeya said during a public address in Trans Nzoia County. “My answer is I am serving the people of Trans Nzoia. Among us all in that group, I am the only one who is elected. I have a responsibility for the people of Trans Nzoia.”
Natembeya said his absence from these political events should not be taken as a departure from opposition alignment but rather as prioritizing governance responsibilities. He said political positioning will be addressed at the right time and only after consulting with his people.
“Even as we balance politics, I also know I have a responsibility to my people,” Natembeya said. “At the right time we will make the decision on what we need to do. Of course in consultation with our people. But for now my mind is set on being governor for Trans Nzoia. Because I have that five-year term. I don’t want to get myself mixed up with other things.”
Despite distancing himself from active politics, Natembeya said he will continue to speak on national issues. The county boss, a former high-ranking state security officer, has been a vocal critic of President William Samoei Ruto’s administration especially on national security and policy implementation.
In February 2025, Natembeya had faulted President Ruto for scrapping the vetting process for national ID cards in Northern and North Eastern Kenya. The move was announced during President Ruto’s tour of the region where he said he was ending the long-standing vetting process that had been applied to some Kenyan communities.
President Ruto described the decree as a move to end systemic marginalization saying the decision will correct historical injustices faced by North Eastern residents who had been delayed and scrutinized in getting identification documents due to ethnic profiling.
Governor Natembeya however described the policy change as a major national security risk. “One day we will have Al-Shabaab as the president’s escort,” he said warning that removal of the vetting protocol will allow criminal elements including suspected terrorists to infiltrate into state systems.
He added, “Before they make any decisions, think. That’s why even Trump is deporting people. There was a time when I think it was Uhuru who tried to put a barrier between Kenya and Somalia. What was the reason? This policy is a disaster.”
Natembeya further said the vetting process had historically played a critical role in differentiating between citizens and threats, and was a tool for counter terrorism. “I have an issue with even the recent removal of vetting of people before they are given identity cards,” he said adding that in his former capacity as a senior security operative he had seen the process work in detecting and deterring criminal activity.
His remarks came as debate on the decree continued with civil society groups, security analysts and some religious leaders warning that the abolition of vetting would complicate monitoring of individuals with links to extremist networks operating within and outside Kenya.
Natembeya has been a defender of institutional integrity and public accountability. He has been vocal in his criticism of several government actions especially those he feels are bad for public service delivery or national security.
But his recent political posture – a calculated absence from high profile opposition events – has raised questions on his long term strategy. The rallies in question organized by Gachagua, Kalonzo and Wamalwa have been held in various counties to consolidate opposition unity ahead of 2027 General Election. These events have been attended by many former and aspiring political office holders but have consistently lacked the presence of the Trans Nzoia governor.
Gachagua, the former deputy president, and Kalonzo Musyoka, who was Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs under former President Mwai Kibaki, have both branded the rallies as a national conversation on governance, corruption and regional representation. Eugene Wamalwa, former Cabinet Secretary for Defence and Devolution, has positioned DAP–Kenya as a key player in the opposition matrix.
As of June 2025, Governor Natembeya has not declared support for any presidential candidate or political coalition for the general election. But his association with DAP–Kenya and its patron, Eugene Wamalwa, is a political talking point especially given their shared regions and ideologies.
Governor Natembeya continues to say any political move he makes will be preceded by local consultations and guided by Trans Nzoia County residents’ priorities. “We will announce where we stand politically at the right time,” he said.
His position is part of a bigger trend among elected county leaders trying to balance national political ambitions with constitutional mandates to deliver on devolution objectives and county level service delivery.
No statement has been issued by the office of the former deputy president or Wiper Democratic Movement–Kenya or Democratic Action Party–Kenya leadership on Governor Natembeya’s absence or comments.
Also Read: CBK Licenses 41 Additional Digital Credit Providers, Total Rises to 126
Natembeya Explains Absence from Gachagua, Kalonzo, and Wamalwa Political Rallies