Wetang'ula rejects poll findings on Natembeya's Luhya influence

Infotrack Research and Consulting Poll placed Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya as the most popular politician in the Western region. [File, Standard]

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has dismissed a recent poll by Infotrack Research and Consulting Poll that placed Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya as the most popular politician in the Western region.

Wetang’ula  says he is focused on running for the presidency in 2032 after helping President William Ruto win a second term in 2027.

Speaking to the media, Wetang’ula questioned the authenticity of the poll, arguing that the findings of many polls cannot be trusted.

“I don’t know the veracity of those polls; someone can just sit down and do his or her own thing,” said Wetang’ula.

Wetang’ula, who is regarded as one of the political Kingpins of the Western region, besides Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, has been fighting the emergence of new leaders such as Natembeya, to retain his dominance. The Trans-Nzoia Governor has put up a spirited fight to challenge the status quo.

The poll showed that 50 per cent of respondents identified Natembeya as the leader with the greatest influence on Luhya politics, placing him ahead of long-established politicians from the region.

Mudavadi was ranked second with 32 per cent, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna came third at 31 per cent, while Wetang’ula came fourth with 29 per cent.

Wetang’ula expressed confidence that the Western region is going to speak in one voice in the next election.

“In 2002 we united under Kijana Wamalwa, and this can happen again,” he said.

The Ford-Kenya leader said there is no supremacy war between him and Mudavadi.

“The leadership of the Western region is not about a contest between Wetang’ula and Mudavadi but rather delivery to our people and leading them to the right direction, which is the government. We are working with Mudavadi, Oparanya and other leaders to bring everybody on board,” he said.