BUNGOMA, Kenya- Allies of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula have fired back at Governor George Natembeya, terming as outrageous his claims that the Speaker is “politically short-sighted”.
Speaking on Sunday at Makhonge Salvation Army Junior School, as they drummed up support for FORD–Kenya’s Kabuchai–Chwele Ward candidate Vincent Maunda, leaders allied to the Speaker dismissed Natembeya’s remarks as reckless , disrespectful and unbecoming of a first term county chief.
Led by Bungoma Senator David Wafula Wakoli, Webuye East MP Martin Pepela, Kanduyi MP John Makali, and the President’s long-time aide Farouk Kibet, they stated that Governor Natembeya had crossed a line by attacking a national leader who “is neither his political equal nor his competitor.”
Mudavadi and Wetangula are busy fighting me instead of thinking about what they will do once I remove Ruto in 2027 – Governor Natembeya
Pepela described Natembeya’s comments as an unnecessary provocation aimed at distracting Western Kenya region and its leaders from their growing unity of purpose ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the same time, Pepela dismissed Natembeya’s claims of being attacked during his tour of Chwele- Kabuchai on Saturday , accusing the governor of staging the incident to gain public sympathy.
“We want to remind him of who he is,” Pepela said.
“He served as a Regional Commissioner in the Rift Valley, you know the kind of power he wielded there. If tear-gas canisters appeared here in Kabuchai, he knows very well where they came from. He is the one who brought them and threw them at the crowd just to seek sympathy.”
“Let him be reminded: in Kabuchai, there are no sympathy votes,” he stressed. “If he wants sympathy, the only place he might get it, if at all, is in his own bedroom.”
“It is unfortunate that a whole governor can stoop this low,” Pepela added
“Speaker Wetang’ula is a national leader, elected by the entire members of the National Assembly. He is not on Natembeya’s level of competition. Let him respect the office and the person who holds it.”
Makali echoed the sentiments, accusing Natembeya of trying to seek relevance by dragging Wetang’ula’s name into petty political fights.
“We respect him as the elected leader of Trans Nzoia County,” Makali said. “But when he comes to Bungoma for political tourism and starts dividing our people, that must stop.”
“This constant name-calling must stop,” Makali said.
“If Governor Natembeya wants to engage in politics, let him do so with ideas not by insulting leaders who have served this nation for decades.”
This Sunday morning at Makhonge Salvation Army Junior School, we stood together in full support of our FORD–Kenya candidate for the Kabuchai–Chwele Ward by-election, Hon. Vincent Maunda.With the by-election scheduled for November 27th, 2025, the choice before the people is
Kibet went further, warning the governor against what he termed “personal attacks disguised as political statements.”
“Natembeya is much as useless person, we know his history , he cannot carry a tear-gas canister and blame it on others like Speaker Wetang’ula because the speaker is a clean make . The governor should find better ways of expressing himself,” Kibet said.
“Wetang’ula is focused on national duties and building the region. He cannot descend into mud-slinging. The governor should also learn to lead without abusing others.”
On his part, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula , who lead the campaigns , took a swipe at Ex-Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, describing them as an “estranged sons” who had chosen to defy the very political father who raised them and who, he warned, were now headed for a political dead end.
“There are those we helped rise to leadership on our party ticket like the Member of Parliament for Kabuchai,” Wetang’ula said.
“Today, he spends his time fighting my shadow whenever I pass. He is busy chasing shadows while I am focused on forging ahead.”
The Speaker invoked a traditional proverb to illustrate his point about political loyalty and respect.
“When a son holds his father by the elbow in confrontation, that son is truly cursed this is an ancient truth,” he told the crowd.
“Young men, if you raise your hand against your father, your own children will one day do the same to you. We must learn to respect one another.”
Wetang’ula insisted that his political camp had maintained decorum throughout their campaign activities.
“When we were at Busakala Primary School, we insulted no one,” he added.
“We simply asked for votes for our candidate and reminded our people of the journey we have walked together. Where we are headed is close very close and we shall enter the political seat our fathers once desired.”
