"Political Tourism" Storm: MCA Tears Into Wetang'ula as Trans Nzoia Succession Battle Intensifies

By Margaret Naishorua

A fresh political storm has erupted in Trans Nzoia County after Hospital Ward MCA Eric Wafula launched a scathing attack on National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, accusing him of engaging in what he termed "political tourism" through frequent campaign-style visits aimed at influencing the county's 2027 gubernatorial race.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Wafula criticized the Ford Kenya party leader over his repeated tours of Trans Nzoia, alleging that the visits are designed to popularize former Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Susan Nakhumicha, whom Kenya Kwanza leaders have publicly endorsed as their preferred gubernatorial candidate.

The MCA claimed Wetang'ula had shifted his attention from his constitutional responsibilities as Speaker of the National Assembly to partisan politics.

"He should concentrate on his national responsibilities instead of behaving like a political broker. His frequent visits are intended to impose a pre-selected leader on the people of Trans Nzoia," Wafula said.

Wafula, who previously associated with the Kenya Kwanza coalition before returning to work alongside Governor George Natembeya, defended his decision, saying the governor has emerged as a strong voice championing the interests and economic empowerment of the people of Western Kenya.

He accused Wetang'ula and his political allies of failing to deliver meaningful development despite having occupied influential leadership positions for decades.

"Wetang'ula has been in politics for close to four decades, yet there is little to show for it. The Mulembe community has been used as a political stepping stone for personal advancement," Wafula alleged.

The MCA also challenged President William Ruto's administration, claiming Western Kenya had been sidelined in national development despite repeated promises made during previous visits to the region.

"You cannot allocate development projects worth tens of billions of shillings to one county while coming to Western Kenya only to attend church services and commission water kiosks. Our people deserve equitable development," he said.

Wafula further accused the national government of attempting to undermine devolution by allegedly withholding funds from counties perceived to support the opposition.

The latest criticism underscores the escalating political rivalry between Wetang'ula and Governor Natembeya, whose supremacy battle has continued to shape political realignments across Western Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Wetang'ula and other Kenya Kwanza leaders have openly backed former Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha as the coalition's preferred candidate to challenge Natembeya for the Trans Nzoia governorship.

Wafula's sentiments were echoed by leaders allied to the governor, including Obed Mwale Mahanga, a key figure in the county's senatorial politics, who accused Kenya Kwanza leaders of neglecting the region's socio-economic development while concentrating on what he described as political vendettas against the county leadership.

Mahanga argued that senior leaders, including Wetang'ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, should prioritize improving the livelihoods of residents rather than engaging in prolonged political battles.

He further alleged that areas perceived to support the opposition were being disadvantaged in national resource allocation, warning that such actions undermine the spirit of devolution and betray the electorate.

As political temperatures continue to rise in Trans Nzoia, the county is increasingly emerging as one of the key battlegrounds that could shape the political landscape of Western Kenya ahead of the next general election.