A major political shift unfolded in Western Kenya on Sunday after Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya officially threw his weight behind Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's presidential ambitions, accusing senior Western Kenya leaders of frustrating the region's quest for State House.

Addressing thousands of supporters during the climax of the Linda Mwananchi movement's Bungoma County tour at the historic Posta Grounds, Natembeya declared that he had shelved his own presidential ambitions in favour of Sifuna, describing the decision as a sacrifice aimed at uniting the Luhya community behind one candidate.

The governor, whose Tawe Movement has now joined forces with the Linda Mwananchi coalition, dismissed claims that political rivalry would emerge between him and Sifuna, saying the two leaders had deliberately chosen unity over personal ambition.

Natembeya accused Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli of spreading propaganda aimed at portraying Sifuna as unfit to seek the presidency.

According to the governor, such politics had for decades denied the Luhya community an opportunity to produce a president.

He said previous generations of Luhya leaders had been weakened by internal rivalries, citing historical political differences involving the late Masinde Muliro, Elijah Mwangale, Musikari Kombo and Mukhisa Kituyi as examples of divisions that had undermined the community's political influence.

Natembeya said he and Sifuna had resolved not to repeat that history and would instead walk together in what he described as a difficult journey towards political liberation.

He further criticized Mudavadi and Wetang'ula, accusing them of derailing the Luhya community's long-standing march to State House instead of championing regional unity.

Speaking shortly after Natembeya, Senator Sifuna welcomed the endorsement, saying the Trans Nzoia governor had proved wrong those who expected the two leaders to compete against each other.

Sifuna thanked Natembeya for what he termed a selfless decision to step aside and rally behind his presidential bid.

Addressing the governor, whom he repeatedly referred to by his nickname "Komando," Sifuna expressed gratitude for the support, saying the endorsement demonstrated courage and commitment to a larger national cause rather than personal political interests.

The senator said Natembeya's decision was not an admission that he was a weaker leader, but rather a demonstration of putting the interests of the country and the region ahead of individual ambitions.

During his address, Sifuna also launched a blistering attack on the leadership of his former political party, ODM, while recounting emotional moments surrounding the death and repatriation of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The Nairobi senator revealed that although many Kenyans believed he was overwhelmed with emotion during the flight to Mumbai, what he actually experienced was deep anger and frustration.

He claimed the delegation that travelled to India included individuals who had spent years opposing Raila Odinga politically but were now taking leading roles following his death.

Sifuna said he was shocked to witness leaders who had fought Raila for decades publicly announcing news of his death and taking charge of funeral arrangements.

According to him, many genuine friends and long-time allies of Raila were initially left out of the official travel delegation.

The senator disclosed that he had not been included in the original passenger manifest and only managed to join the delegation after Suna East MP Junet Mohamed reportedly became unwell at the airport, creating an opportunity for him to be added to the list after his passport was requested.

Sifuna faulted the government's handling of the repatriation process and reception of Raila's body, saying the arrangements sidelined individuals who had stood with the former Prime Minister throughout his political struggles.

In one of the most dramatic moments of the rally, Sifuna announced that he had come to Bungoma to seek the blessing of supporters as he formally prepared to sever ties with ODM.

He appealed to those who had believed in ODM and Raila's democratic ideals to allow him to seek what he termed a new political home committed to defending democracy.

The senator said his fallout with the party leadership began when he opposed proposals to merge ODM with President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

He maintained that he could not support political cooperation with an administration he accused of suppressing dissent, including the alleged use of teargas against worshippers in churches, while also criticizing the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Affordable Housing programme.

The Bungoma rally attracted several prominent political leaders from across the country, underscoring the growing influence of the Linda Mwananchi movement.

Among those present were Siaya Governor James Orengo, former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, former Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga, former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, Kakamega Senator Dr. Boni Khalwale, the Vihiga Senator, as well as several Members of Parliament and local political leaders.

The Bungoma meeting marked the conclusion of the opposition's two-day tour of Bungoma County, which included church services, roadside stopovers and public rallies across several trading centres before ending with the packed gathering at Posta Grounds.

The event is expected to reshape political calculations in Western Kenya as alliances continue to shift ahead of the next General Election, with Natembeya's endorsement of Sifuna emerging as one of the most significant political developments from the region in recent months.