By Peter Ochieng
Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka has called on his Trans Nzoia counterpart, George Natembeya to tone down his onslaught on National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula.
Speaking in Kaptama, Mt Elgon, during the launch of Ngweyo Butaki Foundation on Wednesday, governor Lusaka said he knows the impact of divisive politics on development, urging elected leaders to bury their political differences for the common good of their electorate.
“Leaders are societal mirrors, duly elected in different capacity to represent the public interrst. As we endeavor to deliver for our people, we should shun divisive politics and embrace each other,” he said.
Over the weekend, Wetang’ula and Natembeya’s supporters clashed at a funeral in Trans Nzoia, forcing mourners to run for dear life.
The Speaker is the party leader, Ford Kenya while Natembeya, serving as governor for the first term was elected on the Eugene Wamalwa led DAP Party Kenya.
Natembeya accuses Wetang’ula of self-centered politics in Western, while the Speaker is yet to be quoted directly calling out the governor.
On Tuesday during Citizen TV’s Day Break Show, Kilifi North MP Owen Baya accused Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya of being power hungry, owing to his fight with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula over alleged Western region political kingship.
“Governor George Natembeya has been beating the drums of war for the last month against Speaker Wetang’ula. He is so power-hungry that he thinks the only way to dominate the region and grasp power is to mobilise goons. Wetangula doesn’t need to fight for power; people in Western respect and love him,” said the MP.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi who appeared on the Citizen TV show alongside Baya, said Wetang’ula’s experience and title cuts him above other political leaders in Western.
As such, the MP said he should not be mobilising goons against his percieved rivals.