The clash, which has now turned public, pits Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala against Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K).
Malala has accused Natembeya of undermining the unity of the coalition by allegedly disobeying an agreement reached by member parties regarding the Kisa East ward by-election.
Malala has accused Natembeya of undermining the unity of the coalition by allegedly disobeying an agreement reached by member parties regarding the Kisa East ward by-election.
According to Malala, DCP had been given the green light to field the coalition’s candidate in Kisa East after other parties agreed to step aside.
He explained that this decision was meant to balance previous concessions within the alliance. Earlier, DCP had withdrawn from the Malava parliamentary by-election to support a DAP-K candidate who was considered the strongest contestant at the time. The understanding was that DAP-K would return the favour in the next available by-election.
However, Natembeya reportedly refused to honour the pact, insisting that DAP-K must field its own candidate in Kisa East. His stance has angered DCP leaders, who now view the governor as a disruptive force within the broader opposition movement.
Speaking strongly, Malala accused Natembeya of being influenced by President William Ruto’s administration. He argued that Natembeya’s refusal to support the coalition strategy was not innocent but part of a deliberate effort to weaken the opposition ahead of key political contests.
According to Malala, the governor’s behaviour mirrors that of a leader who is receiving support from state agencies, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS). He alleged that Natembeya had been given resources by the state to frustrate the opposition’s plans and interfere with unity inside the coalition.
Malala warned that such actions threaten the strength and credibility of the United Opposition, which is positioning itself as the main challenger in the 2027 general election. He reminded coalition members that their common opponent is the Kenya Kwanza government, not fellow opposition leaders.
“It is morally wrong for anyone inside the United Opposition to sabotage our strategy from within,” Malala said.
He explained that this decision was meant to balance previous concessions within the alliance. Earlier, DCP had withdrawn from the Malava parliamentary by-election to support a DAP-K candidate who was considered the strongest contestant at the time. The understanding was that DAP-K would return the favour in the next available by-election.
However, Natembeya reportedly refused to honour the pact, insisting that DAP-K must field its own candidate in Kisa East. His stance has angered DCP leaders, who now view the governor as a disruptive force within the broader opposition movement.
Speaking strongly, Malala accused Natembeya of being influenced by President William Ruto’s administration. He argued that Natembeya’s refusal to support the coalition strategy was not innocent but part of a deliberate effort to weaken the opposition ahead of key political contests.
According to Malala, the governor’s behaviour mirrors that of a leader who is receiving support from state agencies, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS). He alleged that Natembeya had been given resources by the state to frustrate the opposition’s plans and interfere with unity inside the coalition.
Malala warned that such actions threaten the strength and credibility of the United Opposition, which is positioning itself as the main challenger in the 2027 general election. He reminded coalition members that their common opponent is the Kenya Kwanza government, not fellow opposition leaders.
“It is morally wrong for anyone inside the United Opposition to sabotage our strategy from within,” Malala said.
“We have one political enemy — the government that continues to violate human rights, abuse public resources, and disregard the rule of law.”
The United Opposition had agreed to coordinate efforts in the upcoming by-elections across the country. Their plan was simple: support the strongest candidate from any of the alliance partners in each race.
The United Opposition had agreed to coordinate efforts in the upcoming by-elections across the country. Their plan was simple: support the strongest candidate from any of the alliance partners in each race.
The goal was to avoid splitting votes and to demonstrate that the opposition can work as a united front.
In previous races, parties within the coalition had cooperated effectively. DCP stepped aside in Mbeere North in favour of the Democratic Party (DP), which had the most support on the ground. Similarly, DCP withdrew in Malava to give way to the more popular DAP-K candidate.
However, the standoff in Kisa East threatens to undo this progress. Analysts say the fallout could weaken the opposition’s performance in the by-elections, which many leaders consider an early test of strength ahead of 2027.
In previous races, parties within the coalition had cooperated effectively. DCP stepped aside in Mbeere North in favour of the Democratic Party (DP), which had the most support on the ground. Similarly, DCP withdrew in Malava to give way to the more popular DAP-K candidate.
However, the standoff in Kisa East threatens to undo this progress. Analysts say the fallout could weaken the opposition’s performance in the by-elections, which many leaders consider an early test of strength ahead of 2027.
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