Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has dismissed claims that the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) is controlled by political elites, insisting the party belongs to the public and will remain rooted in citizen interests. Speaking in Trans Nzoia on Tuesday, July 29, Natembeya said the party is undergoing a national rebranding to broaden its appeal across the country.
“DAP-K does not belong to the party leader or me; it belongs to the people,” Governor Natembeya said. “We’re going to rebrand it with a national outlook.”
His remarks come amid speculation following Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s recent visit to the governor’s office. Some quarters interpreted the meeting as a sign of shifting political ground.
Governor Natembeya rejected those claims, stating there was no reason to avoid the visit. “Was I supposed to run because CS Murkomen came to Trans Nzoia?” he asked. “He came, signed the visitors’ book, continued with his duties, and I traveled to Nairobi afterward.”
Photos of the two officials together circulated online, fueling talk of a possible political handshake. Natembeya clarified the meeting was official and should not be misread as a sign of cooperation with the ruling coalition.
“Our political stand remains the same,” Governor Natembeya said. “We are in the opposition, and we still believe the country is not headed in the right direction. That doesn’t change because someone came to visit.”
The governor also reiterated that his commitment to DAP-K is rooted in citizen representation, not personal or tribal loyalty. He emphasized the need to shift the party away from regional politics and transform it into a platform for broader national engagement.
Governor Natembeya has been a vocal critic of the current administration’s policies, especially on matters affecting devolution and public service delivery. He maintained that DAP-K’s future rests in its ability to respond to ordinary Kenyans’ needs not power plays.
DAP-K was part of the Azimio la Umoja coalition during the 2022 general election. Natembeya’s comments are expected to further position him as a key opposition voice in Rift Valley, a region traditionally allied with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
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