Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has ruled out supporting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for the presidency in the 2027 General Election, saying Kenya needs a leadership shift away from communities that have held power for decades.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday night, Natembeya addressed his relationship with Gachagua and clarified speculation about whether he would back him should he decide to run for the country’s top seat.
Natembeya acknowledged that he shares a professional history with the former deputy president, noting that both rose through the ranks of the provincial administration before entering politics and other fields.
“We share history. He was provincial administration like myself. Of course he rose to up to a certain rank and went into business. We speak very frankly about issues affecting our people,” Natembeya said during the interview.
Despite their cordial relationship, the governor made it clear that his political support would not extend to Gachagua if he sought the presidency.
When asked directly whether he would support him if courts cleared him to contest in 2027, Natembeya rejected the idea immediately.
“Aaaa mhhh no, no. No because I believe that the presidency should rotate,” he said.
Natembeya argued that certain regions, particularly the Mt Kenya region, have historically enjoyed disproportionate access to the presidency, while others have never produced a head of state.
“The Mt Kenya community has had it for around 43 years almost 30 something years one community,” he said, referring to Kenya’s political leadership history.
The governor added that holding the presidency does not necessarily translate into better living conditions for ordinary citizens in those communities.
“When you go there there isn’t much difference… like people in Kikendu in Murang’a and the people in Kabuchai there is really no difference. They’ve had a president we have not had the president but our lives is just the same,” he explained.
Natembeya also challenged the long-held perception that communities with a president automatically gain broader economic benefits.
“We want to demystify this thing because people believe if you have the presidency, the entire community has access to certain largesse. It is not true,” he said.
He warned that continued competition among communities over the presidency could fuel unnecessary political tensions and violence.
“So if Rigathi’s community still insists on having the presidency for the 40th time, it creates unhealthy competition where even people kill each other because of elections,” Natembeya stated.
His remarks come as political alignments and succession debates ahead of the 2027 election continue to shape Kenya’s political landscape.