Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has launched a grassroots campaign to persuade residents to grant him a second term, stating he requires another five years to complete his development agenda and safeguard public land and assets.
He has toured several parts of the county in recent weeks to consolidate support as the field of challengers expands.
The county chief accused his opponents of being deployed to split the vote and derail his re-election bid, urging residents to remain united.
“The political fraudsters have been sent here to contest on several parties, split votes in the region, and cause me to lose the election,” Natembeya said.
The governor said he had provided firm and independent leadership by resisting attempts to grab public land and assets.
“They want someone weak to take over so they can grab all the ADC land and other assets. I have stood strong and rejected such grabbing under my watch,” he said.
Natembeya claimed some public assets had been lost in neighbouring counties due to weak leadership.
“I need another five years in office so I seal off our county from such grabbers and complete key projects so that Trans Nzoia can move to the next level of development,” he said.
The governor intensified attacks on his rivals, alleging his opponents were sponsored and funded by the national government to confuse voters.
“The people of Trans Nzoia know very well that all those eyeing the governor’s seat now have been sent to confuse them. They can make noise all over, but none of them will be acceptable to the people of Trans Nzoia,” he said during a meeting in Kitale.
His re-election drive comes as county assembly speaker Andrew Wanyonyi became the latest aspirant to declare his candidacy for the governor’s seat.
Wanyonyi, a former MCA, announced his bid last week, stating his experience as a grassroots leader and head of the county assembly had given him a clear understanding of the challenges facing residents.
“I believe I have the capacity and ability to run the county, and I have a clear plan to transform it if elected,” he said.
His bid received the endorsement of DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa at Friends Church Kitale last week.
The endorsement adds a new dimension to the contest given Natembeya’s history with DAP-K, having been elected governor on the party’s ticket in 2022 before departing following differences with Eugene.
Natembeya has since aligned himself with Senator Edwin Sifuna, with the duo expected to unveil a new political party in the coming weeks.
Wanyonyi joins an expanding field that includes prominent businesswoman Dorcas Njenga, who recently became the second woman to enter the race after former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha.
“I will be in the race to lead Trans Nzoia and I have the full support of the Jubilee Party. I am ready and set to face my opponents at the ballot,” Njenga said, pledging to transform Trans Nzoia into an agro-industrial hub.
Other contenders include former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, who unsuccessfully challenged Natembeya in 2022, and current Kiminini MP Maurice Bisau.
With party primaries expected early next year, aspirants have intensified grassroots mobilisation.
Natembeya has framed his re-election bid around completing legacy projects initiated by his administration and tackling poverty and disease.
“We agreed with my brother Sifuna that he goes for the presidency as I take care of Trans Nzoia and western Kenya,” he said.
Meanwhile, opponents have sharpened their criticism of the Governor, accusing him of focusing on national politics at the expense of local development.
Natembeya dismissed the criticism, urging Wamalwa during a speech in Kiminini to abandon his bid and collaborate with him to develop the county.
