Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP–K’s Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Wakhungu Malalah have finally buried the hatchet after a week-long exchange that threatened to split the united opposition vote ahead of the Malava by-election.
The two leaders, who have spent days trading accusations, met on Tuesday at Golf Hotel in Kakamega, where they shook hands in a symbolic gesture of reconciliation.
The standoff began after Malalah accused Governor Natembeya of being “President Ruto’s puppet,” claiming the governor had refused to withdraw the DAP–Kenya candidate from the Kisa East Ward by-election.
According to Malalah, the refusal undermined unity negotiations, especially after his own DCP party agreed to withdraw their Malava candidate, Edgar Busiega, in favour of DAP–Kenya’s Seth Panyako.
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Natembeya, however, dismissed the accusations as political propaganda, arguing that decisions on party candidates must respect internal processes and the will of local supporters.
Their public fallout had sparked concern among leaders within the United Opposition coalition, who have been working to consolidate their support base across Western Kenya.
Tuesday’s reconciliation comes as a relief, with the two leaders now expected to jointly lead a campaign rally in Malava to boost Panyako’s chances ahead of the upcoming poll.
Senior opposition figures, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, and DAP–Kenya Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, are also expected to join the rally in a show of unity.
Notably absent from the event was former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whose involvement in the campaign remains unclear. By the time of filing this report, no official communication had been released regarding his whereabouts or whether he will join the Malava campaign trail.
The renewed cooperation between Natembeya and Malalah is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the United Opposition’s presence in the region as by-election campaigns enter the homestretch.
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