Natembeya pitches Tawe movement as Luhya’s political awakening

To him, registering as a voter is not just a civic duty—it is the Luhya community’s chance to finally translate its numbers into political power.
“This time our votes as the Luhya community must count,” he told residents at Khalwenge Dispensary.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya is increasingly positioning himself as the face of Western Kenya’s political reawakening, using voter registration drives as a platform to call for a radical shift in the region’s leadership.

At the weekend, Natembeya toured voter registration centres in Endebess subcounty, urging residents to enlist in large numbers.

To him, registering as a voter is not just a civic duty—it is the Luhya community’s chance to finally translate its numbers into political power.

“This time our votes as the Luhya community must count,” he told residents at Khalwenge Dispensary.

“We cannot be the second most populous community and still lack political influence, which is critical for development.”

Through his Tawe Movement, he is seeking to galvanise Western Kenya into a voting bloc that could upend traditional political alignments.

His sharp criticism of existing Luhya leaders, whom he accuses of “misusing the community politically,” is seen as a direct challenge to established figures like Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

Just last week, Natembeya was crowned as an elder in Vihiga county, Mudavadi’s home turf—a symbolic move that has fuelled speculation about his ambitions beyond Trans Nzoia.

While he remains coy on whether he will seek re-election in 2027 or contest a national seat, his growing regional tours suggest a broader agenda.

For now, the governor is framing the battle around numbers. He has placed young people at the centre of his messaging, calling on them to register in droves.

“Our youth have always been on the frontline of change, but registering as voters is the surest way to enforce that change,” he said.

Natembeya has openly thrown his weight behind a united opposition while insisting that the Luhya community should field a presidential candidate in the next polls.

Whether his Tawe Movement evolves into that vehicle remains to be seen, but his sustained mobilisation hints at a leader intent on rewriting the political script in Western Kenya.

Governor George Natembeya is steadily crafting a political brand that goes beyond Trans Nzoia. By tying voter registration to empowerment, he is reframing civic duty as a weapon for political liberation, especially for the Luhya community. His Tawe Movement, laced with fiery criticism of established leaders like Musalia Mudavadi, signals ambition for higher stakes in 2027. While he has not declared his next move, his symbolism—including being crowned elder in Mudavadi’s backyard—hints at a bid for regional kingpin status. The big question is whether Natembeya can convert his populist energy into a cohesive political bloc.