Natembeya popularises his new Tawe movement
The governor says the aim is to change the political tide in Western Kenya for the next election.
24d agoBY MATHEWS NDANYIRift-valley
Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya has hit back at those attacking him over his calls for Luhya unity.
Natembeya said his county is cosmopolitan and he does not engage in politics that alienate other communities from their rightful share of resources.
“My politics goes beyond tribalism. I talk about the unity of the Luhya community for the purpose of the community getting its rightful share in government, just like other communities in the country,” Natembeya said.
“Tribalism is about favouritism and in my administration, I don’t favour any community. I ensure that in terms of appointments, everyone gets their rightful share. Even those who did not vote for me have the right to benefit from the county resources.”
Those complaining about him have done nothing to help Kenyans fight the misuse of national resources for personal gain, he said.
During an interview at his office in Kitale, the county boss said he had been critical of leaders Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula because they had done nothing to push for the Luhya agenda in government.
Nonetheless, he was quick to add that the newfound relationship between UDA and ODM through the broad-based government should not be used to sideline the two.
“Mudavadi and Wetang’ula have the right to hold the positions they have in the current government, even though, when it comes to our regional politics, we have to tell them the truth,” he said.
He added that there was disquiet from Mudavadi and Wetang’ula because they were not comfortable with what was going on in government.
“We have said let them battle their own issues in the so-called broad-based government, but they should not be elbowed out of government because that is the unfairness we have been talking about,” said Natembeya.
The county boss, an outspoken critic of President William Ruto, said those pointing fingers are the same individuals using their government positions to favour their own communities and sideline others.
“Despite being a Luhya, my own drivers and security detail are not from my community. If you look at my cabinet of ten, four members are from a community that did not support me during the elections. If I were a tribalist, they would not be in my cabinet,” he said.
The governor, who has served in different government positions for a long time, said even then, he spoke his mind but was not targeted because it was known that he stood for the truth.
He vowed that come 2027, change would happen in both Luhya and national politics.
