Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has challenged the Luhya community to embrace the selflessness and courage of Second Liberation icons Pius Henry Masinde Muliro and the late Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa, saying the region must move beyond political rhetoric and focus on economic and social emancipation.

Speaking on Saturday at Nangata Primary School in Bumula Sub-County during the funeral service of Eric Juma Wamboka, the elder brother of Bumula Member of Parliament Jack Wamboka, Natembeya said the dreams of the region’s early liberation leaders were cut short by betrayal, political intrigue and elite interests that weakened Western Kenya’s unity and development agenda.

The governor said Masinde Muliro had laid a strong foundation for democratic politics through the Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU) before later becoming a central figure in the push for multiparty democracy through the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD).

According to Natembeya, Muliro’s political dream was tragically interrupted following his death in 1992, leaving behind an unfinished struggle for democracy, regional empowerment and the liberation of ordinary Kenyans.

“Masinde Muliro started KADU and sojourned to greater political space in later years, only for his dream through FORD to be aborted after being killed in 1992. Wamalwa Kijana’s journey was also aborted, and now we have cowards who are silently eating as Kenyans live in fear of the dynasty of neo-colonialism,” Natembeya said.

The Trans Nzoia county boss, who has increasingly positioned himself as a modern standard-bearer of the Muliro-Kijana political legacy, dismissed the long-running call for Luhya unity as mere rhetoric unless it is accompanied by deliberate action to improve the lives of people in Western Kenya.

He said the region needs bold and serious leadership capable of addressing poverty, unemployment, land issues, youth empowerment, agriculture, education and economic marginalisation.

Natembeya took aim at National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, accusing them of repeatedly invoking Luhya unity during public gatherings and funerals without delivering meaningful economic transformation for communities in the Western region.

He challenged leaders to stop using unity as a political slogan and instead build structures that would empower farmers, traders, young people and families struggling with the high cost of living.

“Time for empty talk is gone and now we must focus on the social-economic struggles of the people at the grassroots level rather than falling prey to political theatrics,” he said.

The governor further told the mammoth gathering, estimated at about 60,000 people, that he was working with like-minded leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, to consolidate the Western region politically ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Natembeya said the Mulembe nation must unite and vote as a bloc if it is to have a stronger voice in national leadership and eventually make a serious bid for the presidency.

He argued that the Luhya community had for years been made to believe that it could not produce a president, while other communities had successfully built political unity around national leadership ambitions.

“The presidency is staring at the most populous community, which has been duped to believe that it is impossible to send an incumbent president like William Ruto home,” Natembeya said.

“Let Wetang’ula, Musalia and other political doubting Thomases who have been selling false propaganda that it is impossible to remove Ruto also explain why a Luhya cannot be President of Kenya in 2027.”

Natembeya also claimed that the choice of Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka for a key leadership role was evidence that President William Ruto does not take Wetang’ula and Mudavadi seriously in the national political equation.

His remarks drew cheers from sections of mourners, with several leaders present praising him for openly challenging what they described as the political status quo in Western Kenya.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and other leaders who attended the funeral praised Natembeya for what they termed as courage reminiscent of Masinde Muliro’s bold political style.

They said the Trans Nzoia governor had emerged as one of the most outspoken leaders pushing for a new political direction in the Western region.

Political observers at the gathering said Natembeya’s remarks pointed to an emerging effort to reshape the balance of power in Western Kenya, where established leaders have traditionally dominated the region’s political agenda.

The governor’s growing profile, they said, could signal the beginning of a new contest for influence as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

Among the leaders who attended the funeral were Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, Kitutu Chache MP Anthony Kibagendi, Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau, Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu and Mumias East MP Peter Salasya.

The event was also marked by political drama after Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and Sirisia MP Major (Rtd) John Waluke were heckled by mourners when they attempted to popularise their “two-term” political slogans.

The two legislators, who have reportedly been on opposing sides due to rival gubernatorial ambitions, struggled to address the crowd as mourners drowned out their speeches with chants and jeers.

Former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga was also repeatedly heckled, forcing him to cut short his speech and leave the podium before completing his address.

The funeral, which brought together leaders from different political formations, turned into a major political platform as leaders used the occasion to debate the future of Western Kenya, the unity of the Luhya community and the country’s political direction ahead of 2027.