From boardroom to battlefield: How Lusaka has found his political roar

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has been hitting out at Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa as Western politics gain momentum. [File, Standard] For years, the political persona of Kenneth Lusaka, the first and current Governor of Bungoma, was largely defined by a gentle disposition and diplomacy honed over a long career in public administration. He was the quiet man in the room, the one expected to navigate political currents with a soft touch, relying on dialogue and behind-the-scenes negotiation rather than frontal assaults. That image, however, is rapidly changing. In recent months, a more combative Lusaka has emerged. It is a transformation that has recalibrated the political temperature in Bungoma and the wider Western Kenya region. The gentleman administrator has found his roar. The clearest illustration of this metamorphosis came during the tension surrounding the fate of the Nzoia Sugar Company. As protests brewed, Lusaka delivered a blistering broadside against Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa. He dismissed their actions with a remark that signalled his new approach: "Don't bring your failed politics to Bungoma. We aren't a political resuscitation centre!" It wasn't just a rebuttal of their stance on Nzoia Sugar; it was a challenge to their very presence and influence in his county. The attack didn't stop there. During a prayer breakfast at the Holy-gate of Heaven Church in Bungoma, Lusaka accused Wamalwa and Natembeya of politicizing the Nzoia Sugar issue. "Don't light fires in my house to warm your cold politics," Lusaka declared. He challenged their credentials to speak on behalf of farmers and workers, highlighting their perceived inaction during the miller's worst times. "Where were they when the factory went months without paying workers? When machines broke down and farmers' cane dried in the fields?" he posed, framing their current activism as opportunistic and driven solely by the looming 2027 elections. This confrontational engagement is a significant departure from the style that defined Lusaka for much of his public life. To understand the magnitude of this change, one must look at his background, the foundation upon which his earlier political persona was built. The administrator's foundation Lusaka's journey in public life began not in the hurly-burly of political rallies but within the structured hierarchy of the Kenyan civil service. Starting as a District Officer (DO) and rising through the ranks to become a District Commissioner (DC) and later a Permanent Secretary, Lusaka spent decades in roles that demanded a different set of skills than those typically associated with bare-knuckle politics. The life of a DO or DC in the pre-devolution era was one of administrative authority, maintaining law and order, coordinating government services, and acting as the government's representative at the local level. It required diplomacy in dealing with diverse communities, adherence to strict protocols, report writing, budget management within defined limits, and often, a public persona that was more about embodying state authority than personal charisma or political ideology. As a Permanent Secretary, Lusaka operated at the apex of government ministries, advising ministers, formulating policy, overseeing implementation, and managing large departments. When he first ran for governor in 2013, this administrative experience was highlighted as his key strength. He was portrayed as the safe pair of hands, the manager who understood how government works and could bring order and development to Bungoma County. His initial tenure as governor, while marked by political challenges common to the pioneering devolution era, largely saw him maintain this image of a pragmatic, systems-oriented leader. Even after losing his re-election bid in 2017 and subsequently serving as the Speaker of the Senate, a role that demands impartiality, the perception of Lusaka as fundamentally an administrator with political leanings persisted. His return to the gubernatorial seat in 2022 saw him campaigning on a platform that still referenced his experience and ability to deliver services. The question, then, is what has triggered this shift towards a more aggressive persona? Several factors likely contribute to this transformation, one of them being his serving a final term and now eyeing national politics. Lusaka is currently serving his second and final term as governor. This removes the pressure of seeking re-election in Bungoma in 2027, allowing him to take bolder, potentially more polarizing stances without immediately jeopardising his local political base for a county election. The political grapevine is rife with speculation that he is well-positioned for a significant role in President William Ruto's Cabinet should the latter secure a second term. His hard-hitting attacks on opposition figures who are critical of government policy (like the Nzoia leasing plan) can be interpreted as an audition for such a role - demonstrating his willingness to be a vocal, forceful defender of the Kenya Kwanza administration. Defending turf and legacy As Governor, Bungoma is Lusaka's political home and his primary sphere of influence. The Nzoia Sugar issue is not just a national policy matter; it affects the economy and livelihoods of Bungoma residents - farmers, workers, and businesses. When figures from outside his county (Natembeya is from Trans-Nzoia, while Wamalwa, though a regional figure, leads a party that competed against Lusaka's coalition in the last election) come into Bungoma to lead protests against a government initiative that Lusaka is aligned with, it can be perceived as a direct challenge to his authority and control over his own political backyard. His reaction is a territorial defense - a message that he will not allow others to destabilize his county or undermine his standing on critical local issues. The current national political landscape is often characterized by sharp exchanges, direct challenges, and leaders unafraid to confront opponents publicly. While Lusaka's administrative background might predispose him to a different style, operating within this environment might necessitate adopting some of its characteristics to remain relevant and effective. Implications of the shift For his core supporters and allies within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, this new, more aggressive stance is likely viewed positively. It portrays him as a strong leader, a defender of his county, and a loyal foot soldier for the President. This could consolidate his support base and enhance his standing within the ruling coalition, crucial for his post-governorship ambitions. Conversely, this hard-hitting approach will inevitably further polarise the political landscape. Opponents like Wamalwa and Natembeya, and their supporters, will likely view his attacks as desperate and a betrayal of his previously perceived gentlemanly conduct. With Lusaka engaging directly and forcefully, political contests in Bungoma and the surrounding areas are likely to become more heated and personal. The administrative buffer that once seemed to cushion him from the most brutal aspects of politics appears to have been removed. As he approaches the end of his final term, his legacy will be shaped not only by the development projects he initiates but also by his political style. The quiet administrator has not entirely disappeared, but he has yielded the foreground to a politician who is willing to confront directly. The rhino, once content to graze peacefully, has shown it is ready to lower its head and charge when it perceives a threat to its domain or its future path.As Bungoma County heads towards the next political cycle beyond Lusaka's governorship, and as Kenya looks towards 2027, the trajectory of Kenneth Lusaka will be keenly watched.

From boardroom to battlefield: How Lusaka has found his political roar

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

From boardroom to battlefield: How Lusaka has found his political roar

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Trending Now

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS