Wetangula Scrambles to Maintain Footing in Western Kenya Politics

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula finds himself confronted with a multitude of challenges in the Western region of Kenya.

One such challenge is the mounting pressure for him to dissolve his Ford Kenya party and merge with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). This pressure intensifies as the Tawe movement, championed by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, gains traction. Compounding Wetangula's predicament is the ongoing doctors' strike which has thrust his ally, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, into the spotlight. Nakhumicha, a former candidate for the Trans Nzoia Women Representative seat on the Ford Kenya ticket in the 2022 General Election, now faces the possibility of an impeachment motion filed by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

This situation presents Wetangula with a difficult decision regarding the fate of his ally. The healthcare crisis in Kenya, exacerbated by the events of March 15, has left numerous citizens grappling with limited access to proper medical care. While Nakhumicha occupies a prominent position at the national level, her involvement in local politics in Trans Nzoia has stirred controversy. Analysts contend that her efforts to undermine the first-term governor have ignited clashes between her and Natembeya. The tensions escalated last month when Nakhumicha censured the governor for the dire state of the health sector in the county. She emphasized the governor's responsibility to improve hospitals and ensure adequate medicine supplies, vowing to take action if he failed to do so.

Natembeya, in response, advised Nakhumicha to focus on her ministerial duties and refrain from engaging in politics. President William Ruto's desire for Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties to disband and join UDA has been met with resistance from Ford Kenya which has stated its decision to remain an independent party. Last month, Bungoma Senator David Wafula reiterated Ford Kenya's stance against merging with UDA, asserting the party's deeply rooted belief in devolution and its status as a political inheritance they would not abandon. Some political analysts speculate that Wetangula's challenges may stem from his firm opposition to the dissolution of Ford Kenya.

There are also allegations that UDA may be strategizing to establish its dominance in Western politics by positioning itself against Wetangula. Analysts warn that it would be a grave mistake for party leaders Musalia Mudavadi (Amani National Congress) and Wetangula (Ford Kenya) to agree to dissolve their parties. While Mudavadi's appointment as Prime Cabinet Secretary presents an opportunity for him to establish himself as an independent presidential candidate in 2027, the demise of ANC would accompany his departure, just as it would for Wetangula and Ford Kenya.

In an interview on Spice FM, Natembeya expressed his party's desire to encourage their community members to reject what he perceived as negative actions orchestrated by Western region leaders, specifically targeting Wetangula. He accuses Wetangula of securing the position of National Assembly Speaker through questionable means and claims that Wetangula delivered Bungoma to President Ruto without negotiating any benefits for their community.