The growing rift between National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has become a major political concern in western Kenya.
Political risk analyst Dismas Mokua has now weighed in on the issue, warning that the conflict could have serious consequences if not handled properly.
According to Mokua, the frequent attacks by Natembeya on Wetangula are misdirected and risk stirring unnecessary political division in the region.
Over the past few weeks, Governor Natembeya has accused Wetangula of failing to provide effective leadership for the Mulembe Nation.
He has also blamed Ford Kenya, Wetangula’s party, for promoting corruption in Trans Nzoia, which he says has denied residents the benefits they were supposed to enjoy under devolution.
These accusations have caused sharp divisions among leaders and supporters in the region. Tensions recently boiled over during a funeral they both attended, where chaos broke out due to the rising political rivalry between the two leaders.
In an interview with TV47, Dismas Mokua said that although Natembeya is raising important issues, he is directing them at the wrong person.
Mokua pointed out that it is not Wetangula who should be answering questions about the failures in development and representation of the Luhya community.
Instead, Mokua believes the right person to question is Eugene Wamalwa, the leader of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) and a former Cabinet Secretary for Water, Devolution, and Defense.
According to Mokua, Wamalwa has been in leadership since the beginning of devolution and held key positions that directly impacted development and public service in the region.
Mokua explained that Natembeya’s concerns about underdevelopment, poor water structures, and the lack of Luhyas in the Kenya Defense Forces or National Youth Service are valid but should be directed at Wamalwa, not Wetangula.
He believes Natembeya is only using Wetangula as a convenient political target. Mokua went further to say that if he were Wamalwa, he would be extremely concerned by Natembeya’s statements because they reveal deep dissatisfaction with his legacy.
Despite this, Mokua did not spare Wetangula from criticism. He said that as the Speaker of the National Assembly, Wetangula should stay away from active party politics and play a more neutral role.
Mokua warned that the Speaker’s continued involvement in Ford Kenya activities could damage the respect and neutrality that his office demands. This, in turn, could lead to more political fights and damage unity in the region.
Mokua’s views show that while both leaders have their faults, the Luhya community risks falling behind if leaders focus more on blame than real solutions.
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