- COTU boss Francis Atwoli dismissed a viral poster claiming he endorsed Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya as Western Kenya’s political leader
- Atwoli reaffirmed his support for Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula, urging the Luhya community to rally behind them
- Meanwhile, Natembeya has launched the “Tawe Movement” vowing to dislodge the duo and positioning himself for a 2027 presidential bid
Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli has dismissed claims that he endorsed Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya as Western Kenya’s political torchbearer.
Source: Facebook
A poster circulating online suggested Atwoli had backed Natembeya’s rise, portraying him as the Luhya community’s senior-most leader.
Did Atwoli endorse George Natembeya?
Atwoli was suggested to have sidelined Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula as the Western Kenya go-to leaders.
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Atwoli, however, branded the card as fake, reiterating his long-standing support for Mudavadi and Wetang’ula.
The outspoken trade unionist often rallies the Luhya nation behind the two leaders, even urging one of them to contest the presidency in 2032.
He accused the principals in the United Opposition, among them DCP’s Cleophas Malala and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, of devising propaganda to shape their narratives.
“Calling upon Kenyans not to listen to propaganda from bloggers. I am not of the age of the Wamalwas, Natembeyas and Malalas of this world. I am in another class altogether. I am not their equals,” he said.
Meanwhile, Natembeya has positioned himself as a fierce critic of Mudavadi and Wetang’ula, accusing them of exploiting Western Kenya’s numerical strength for years for personal gain without delivering tangible benefits to ordinary citizens.
Is George Natembeya seeking to be president?
He has launched a movement to challenge their dominance, vowing to wrest community leadership from them.
Having entered elective politics in 2022 and clinched the Trans Nzoia governorship after a career in the Interior Ministry, where he last served as Rift Valley regional coordinator, Natembeya is believed to be designing himself as a national leader.
Natembeya has hinted at vying for the presidency in 2027, or at least the deputy presidency, as he steps up grassroots mobilisation.
Source: Twitter
In August, he rejected the position taken by key Western Kenya leaders that the region should only present a presidential candidate in 2032 after President William Ruto completes his possible terms.
While Mudavadi and Wetang’ula have been rallying Western voters behind Ruto with expectations of reciprocal support in 2032, Natembeya firmly opposed the idea.
He spearheads the “Tawe Movement,” a departure from the traditional Western Kenya political class that has dominated successive regimes.
Who are Natembeya’s challengers in opposition?
Natembeya insists he is fully prepared to challenge Ruto, dismissing the need to wait until 2032.
He currently belongs to the United Opposition, which also has a number of principals who have all declared their interests in vying for the presidency.
Wiper leader’s Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa, Martha Karua (PLP) and Fred Matiang’i (Jubilee Party) have all declared their interest in the country’s top seat.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
