Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and National
Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula have long been viewed as the most senior and
influential politicians in Western Kenya.
They have commanded respect for their
experience, political acumen and roles in shaping the country’s governance
landscape.
Both men hold significant sway in national
politics, having backed President William Ruto under the Kenya Kwanza Alliance
in the 2022 elections.
However, in recent months, this dominance
in Western has increasingly been contested by a new wave of emerging leaders
with fresh energy and grassroots connections.
Figures such as Trans Nzoia Governor George
Natembeya and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi have been a thorn in the flesh for Mudavadi
and Wetang’ula, who are also coming under fire from their Kenya Kwanza
counterpart Boni Khalwale.
Political analyst Albert Kasembeli said it
is harder to dismiss the emerging leadership, and advised Mudavadi and
Wetang’ula not to sit pretty as their supremacy and power is being challenged
and diluted.
He said many people in Western Kenya feel
that Mudavadi and Wetangula abandoned them when they got into government.
“When Mudavadi and Wetang’ula ascended to
key leadership positions, there was widespread hope in Western Kenya,”
Kasembeli said.
“People thought these leaders would use
their influence to accelerate development in the region and address
longstanding socioeconomic grievances.”
Natembeya has positioned himself as an
alternative voice for leadership in Western Kenya, actively promoting unity
among the Luhya community across counties like Vihiga, Bungoma, Kakamega and
Trans Nzoia counties.
His rise has been further fuelled by recent
endorsements by cultural elders in Vihiga and Kakamega counties.
On the other hand, Mudavadi was installed
as the Luhya spokesperson in December 2016, but the crown now appears to be up
for grabs once again.
Kakamega Deputy Governor and DAP-K deputy
party leader Ayub Savula said Natembeya and his group are gaining popularity
because they are appealing to the young generation.
Savula added that Natembeya should consider
reducing his meetings with elders and instead focus on the youth.
“The youth want to associate with leaders
who they believe understand what they are going through and are determined to
help them,” he said.
Amisi maintained his criticism of Mudavadi
and Wetang’ula, saying the two have worked together before, served in the same
Cabinet, formed the same coalitions but have not adequately addressed problems
facing Western.
“Western Kenya and the country simply need
a renaissance. Period,” he said.
DAP-K National Executive Council member
Chris Barasa said leadership in Western is changing hands.
He said a new crop of politicians is taking
charge of the original Luhya leadership style, stating that they are bold and
promising to address problems bedeviling western.
“Development projects and visible
improvements in infrastructure, healthcare and education in Western Kenya have
lagged, reinforcing feelings that the region’s needs have not been
prioritised,” Barasa said.
He said many grassroots supporters feel
sidelined or ignored as leadership appears more focused on national politics
than on tangible local progress.
Khalwale has also been going after Mudavadi
and Wetangula with open attacks in public events.
He has even opted to oppose his UDA party's
candidate in the Malava by-election, David Ndakwa.
He has taken issue with Kenya Kwanza for
failing to issue the UDA ticket to the late Malava MP Malulu Injendi's son,
Ryan Injendi, despite his administration doing the same for other family
members of deceased politicians.
He further claimed that one of Ruto's CSs
had tried to interfere with the campaign process and insulted him for not
supporting the UDA candidate.
DAP-Kenya will face off with Kenya Kwanza
leadership led by Mudavadi in the November 27 by-elections in the Malava polls.
Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya decided not to
field its own candidate and instead opted to support the Kenya Kwanza
Alliance’s choice in an election seen as a significant test ahead of the 2027
general election.
