COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has rejected claims he anointed Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya as Western Kenya's paramount political figure. The veteran labor leader dismissed a circulating poster as fabricated after it suggested he viewed Natembeya as the Luhya community's top representative, a stance that would undermine Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.
Atwoli reaffirmed his backing for Mudavadi and Wetang'ula, whom he regards as best suited to steer regional politics. He has previously encouraged either politician to pursue the presidency in 2032.
Meanwhile, Natembeya has emerged as a challenger through his Tawe Movement, accusing the established duo of exploiting the area's population for leverage without delivering concrete gains to residents. The governor entered electoral politics in 2022 after serving in the Interior Ministry as Rift Valley regional coordinator.
Atwoli reaffirmed his backing for Mudavadi and Wetang'ula, whom he regards as best suited to steer regional politics. He has previously encouraged either politician to pursue the presidency in 2032.
Meanwhile, Natembeya has emerged as a challenger through his Tawe Movement, accusing the established duo of exploiting the area's population for leverage without delivering concrete gains to residents. The governor entered electoral politics in 2022 after serving in the Interior Ministry as Rift Valley regional coordinator.
