Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has quit DAP-Kenya after a fallout with party leader Eugene Wamalwa, as new Linda Mwananchi political plans take shape for 2027.
Trans Nzoia Governor and DAP-Kenya deputy party leader George Natembeya has announced his departure from the party, amid fresh political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, July 8, Natembeya said his exit followed a disagreement with party leader Eugene Wamalwa over his push to transform DAP-K from a regional Western Kenya outfit into a national movement.
"I requested Hon. Eugene Wamalwa to grant me the opportunity to expand DAP-K into a broader national movement. Unfortunately, he declined. Consequently, I have no other option but to quit," Natembeya said.
This is not a sudden falling-out. Tensions between Natembeya and Wamalwa have simmered publicly since at least mid-2025, when petitions surfaced within DAP-K seeking the removal of both leaders amid reports of a "conservative" faction loyal to Wamalwa and a "liberal" faction pushing to rebrand the party under Natembeya. The governor has previously denied trying to forcefully take over the party, insisting his goal was simply to give DAP-K national appeal rather than keep it confined to Western Kenya politics.
By January 2026, the party had publicly denied any rift, insisting Wamalwa and Natembeya were working together under the "DAP-K is TAWE, TAWE is DAP-K" framing. Wednesday's announcement puts that denial to rest.
The announcement comes days after Natembeya hosted Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other Linda Mwananchi leaders at his Trans Nzoia home on July 5. During that meeting, the leaders reportedly agreed to form a new political outfit ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to sources close to the leaders, the meeting brought together community elders from the western region alongside political leaders who outlined a roadmap for the region ahead of the elections.
"As part of that roadmap, they announced that a new political party will soon be unveiled to carry the movement's vision," a close ally of Sifuna told Don Sami Live.
Editorial note: This claim is attributed to a source close to Sifuna and has not been independently confirmed by an official Linda Mwananchi or Sifuna statement at time of publication.
Under the emerging arrangement, Natembeya says the leaders have endorsed Sifuna to run for the presidency in 2027, while he concentrates on securing a second term as Trans Nzoia Governor.
Political strategist Pauline Njoroge, a member of Linda Mwananchi, outlined the movement's near-term plans: a major Linda Mwananchi rally in Trans Nzoia on July 25, followed by what she described as "the mother of all rallies" in Bungoma County on July 26, where Sifuna is expected to be crowned the Luhya leader before turning his attention to a national campaign.
Editorial note: These planned rally dates and framing are as stated by Njoroge and should be treated as the movement's stated intentions pending confirmation closer to the dates.
Natembeya had previously indicated plans to quit DAP-K as far back as 2025, a move the party dismissed at the time. Mumias East MP Peter Salasya recently warned Natembeya against the move, arguing that Sifuna lacks the political influence in Bukusu land that Wamalwa commands, and that abandoning DAP-K could cost Natembeya crucial voter blocs in Trans Nzoia in a crowded field expected to include DAP-K, Ford Kenya, and UDA candidates.
Whether Natembeya's calculation pays off will likely hinge on how quickly the new outfit can establish itself and whether the Linda Mwananchi rallies later this month translate into real ground support in Western Kenya.
This is a developing story. Don Sami Live will update as DAP-K, Wamalwa, and Linda Mwananchi leaders respond.