Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has launched a scathing attack against his Trans Nzoia counterpart George Natembeya, saying that the ‘Tawe’ movement is inconsequential in Kenya’s national politics.
According to Governor Barasa, ‘Tawe’— the ‘No’ or ‘Reject’ political movement of Governor Natembeya—is only influential in Trans Nzoia County.
Political pundits have touted the movement to give established parties in Western region like Ford Kenya and ODM a ran for their money as a platform that will unite the Luhya votes in 2027. But as Governor Barasa says, nothing could be further from the truth.
Speaking to TV47 on Wednesday, March 26 night, Governor Barasa said the recently-signed MoU between President William Ruto and ODM’s Raila Odinga is the real deal.
“ODM is very strong in Kakamega County, indeed we are the majority party in Kakamega. ODM is very strong in Busia County, again we are the majority party. ODM is very strong in Vihiga,” Barasa noted.
The Governor, voted on an ODM ticket in 2022, touted the Ruto-Raila political alliance to achieve the ‘elusive’ Luhya unity, and consolidate the Western region votes. “In Western region, the soft handshake between Baba [Raila] and Ruto is going to consolidate the region and future political re-alignments.”
Elusive Luhya unity
Though termed as elusive, Governor Barasa insists that uniting the Luhya unity is not a far-fetched mission.
“In 2002, the Luhya nation voted for President Mwai Kibaki and Vice President Wamalwa Kijana overwhelmingly. At that time, there was no issue of elusive Luhya unity. We are telling our people that we should not let local politics affect our national agenda. We are trying to make sure that we consolidate our people around a common agenda. When we have unity of purpose we will be taken seriously in Kenya’s politics.”
But even as leaders are pushing for the unity of the Mulembe nation, Governor Barasa maintains that it should not be lost on us that the region, just like Kenya’s political system, is a democracy where those with divergent opinions should be known and taken into account.
“But we also have to be clear that there is democracy. In as much as we are pushing for consolidation of the Luhya people, it should be clear that people are free to give their own divergent views.
“The coming together of Raila Odinga and William Ruto, to a large extent, will consolidate the Western region votes together, except for a few pockets of Tawe Movement that we cannot ignore in Trans Nzoia.”
According to Governor Natembeya, ‘Tawe’ movement embodies a rejection of bad governance and a rallying call for fresh ideas in Kenya’s — more specifically Western region’s — political landscape.
“We refuse to accept the status quo marred by issues such as rampant corruption, partisan gridlock, obstructionism, lack of transparency, and negative campaigning,” he said in a previous interview.
