Natembeya Named Linda Mwananchi Presidential Campaign Chief as Trans Nzoia Leaders Rally Behind Him Ahead of 2027 Alternative headline: Trans Nzoia Leaders Back Natembeya After Appointment as Linda Mwananchi Presidential Campaign Coordinator

Leaders from across the political divide in Trans Nzoia County Saturday stood in solidarity with their  Governor George Natembeya who was named  the Linda Mwananchi presidential campaign coordinator in a move that saw the movement move  to establish its party structures ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking in Hututu village in Motosiet ward during the internment service of the late Mzee Robert Wafula Lusaka, the leaders who were led by Trans Nzoia County Assembly Deputy Speaker Obed Mwale Mahanga said the the proposal of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya to lead the national presidential campaign secretariat for the newly formed Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) highlights his growing role in Kenya's opposition politics.

‘’ We as Natembeya’s Support base  view his selection to lead the Presidential Campaign team as a testament to his bold leadership style and ability to challenge President William Ruto’s administration, and end his rule which has disadvantaged the people of Kenya’’, Said the Deputy Speaker who was recently arrested and charged and unconditionally released by the Kapenguria Court.

 Natembeya, often referred to as "Commando," has gained prominence for directly challenging President Ruto and the national government over devolution and county development projects. His public standoffs regarding the management of local markets and health facilities have positioned him as an unyielding critic capable of leading a national opposition campaign.

The leaders said Natembeya who will be in charge of the campaign strategy, mobilization efforts and efforts to build support for the movement across the Country will retain his seat despite the frightened National government pouring in resources to have him edged out of the gubernatorial seat.

 Mwale who has announced intention to unseat Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang praised Natembeya’s administrative and political experience and his role in communicating the movement’s agenda.

He said rejection of tribal bigotry and hate speech is essential to safeguarding the peace of the residents of Trans Nzoia County which he referred to as a haven of peace in the sea of turbulence where stability and shared development need to be a benchmark to rest of Kenyans.

‘’ Ethnic diversity is a foundation of Kenyan culture, not a tool of political division and as such we in the alternative government ask that we step back and evaluate integrity, competence, development and vision rather than dividing our people along ethnic arithmetic’’, he said.

Agriculture, livestock and Fisheries CECM Phanice Khatundi challenged leaders to reject inflammatory rhetoric either on social media or on public platforms.

She hit out at Trans Nzoia Women representative Lilian Chebet Siyoi over her focus on attacking Trans nzoia Governor George Natembeya instead of delivering her mandate.

Khatundi who became number two during the 2022 election campaigns told the incumbent to brace for tougher times.

The linda Mwanachi Movement represented at the burial by the County Chairman Wycliffe Misoga told off the broad-based government for weaponization of state security apparatus against political opposition, something he said was undermining democratic institutions , as the rule of law and fundamental rights .

‘’ When security apparatus in the Country and indeed here in Trans Nzoia operate as partisan tools rather than neutral operators, public confidence in state institutions collapses. We are therefore asking the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to respect the rule of the law because whether anyone likes it or not Kenyans will be putting in place a new regime in less than eleven months to come’’, he said.

The Linda Mwananchi Movement, he said is a newly rebranded political entity (formerly The Equitable Party) which is moving to   establish a deeper countrywide presence and finalize its official structures at its National Delegates Convention before it can effectively issue "matching orders" to an entrenched incumbent president.

He said arbitrary arrests, surveillance, and politically motivated prosecutions of close allies of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s staff and political allies goes against the protection of the basic human rights as enshrined in the Constitution.

He said the police must comply with international covenants and protect the rights of political figures and citizens as they engage in political discourse without fear of retaliation.

Mr. Misoga said as governor, Natembeya has built a strong regional platform in Partnering with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna (the LMM party leader-designate) and other western Kenya political bigwigs in a move to  consolidate a significant voting bloc in Western Kenya to compete against the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which has less than 10 months in power.

The Governor’s Personal Assistant Emmanuel Wamalwa  indicated that Natembeya’s primary focus still remains on securing a second term as Trans Nzoia Governor while coordinating the Sifuna presidency with his role being strictly strategic and organizational as campaign chairman.

The burial was attended by Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital Chairman Professor Ferdinand Nang'ole, his Vice Chairman Ronald Wasilwa Masindano, Chief Officers Teresa Meto ( Trade and Industrialist) and Samuel Masika ( Performance management),County Director of Communications Professor Felix Sialo, Linda Mwananchi Organising Secretary Godricks Wanyonyi, Kitale 's Ultra modern Park Administrator Felix Abuta, County Director of Photography Amos Boaz Masika among many leaders, clergy and professionals.