Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has strongly criticized Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya for what he described as divisive and self-centered comments about the marginalization of the Luhya community in national affairs.
In a detailed post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, July 9, Salasya accused Natembeya of neglecting the people of Trans Nzoia and instead using his political influence for personal gain.
According to Salasya, the governor is more interested in advancing his political ambitions than addressing the real problems facing his constituents.
Salasya was reacting to a video clip from Natembeya’s recent interview on Spice FM. In the interview, the governor expressed frustration over what he sees as the exclusion of his ethnic group from important government positions and national opportunities.
Natembeya insisted it was time for the Luhya community to rise and claim their fair share of national leadership and resources.
The governor lamented that many members of the Luhya community are stuck in low-paying, manual labor jobs despite the community being one of the largest in Kenya.
He even blamed some high-ranking leaders from the community—such as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula—for allegedly failing to fight for the interests of their people despite being in positions of influence for many years.
Natembeya said this situation should motivate the community to stop settling for less and start striving to become influential decision-makers at the national level.
However, Salasya disagreed with Natembeya’s point of view and accused the governor of not doing enough to help the many unemployed youths in his own county of Trans Nzoia. He challenged Natembeya to show concrete evidence of efforts he has made to provide job opportunities for young people in Kitale.
“How many university graduates have you helped to find employment or guided towards job opportunities?” Salasya asked. “How many small industries have you established to provide decent jobs for the very people you say are stuck in low-level work like being watchmen or house helps?”
Salasya also criticized Natembeya’s performance in the sports sector, pointing out that sports is a devolved function under the county government.
He asked why the governor hasn’t invested in the development of sports facilities, especially considering Kitale’s reputation for producing top football talent through schools like St. Joseph’s and St. Antony’s.
“How many football academies have you built? How many stadiums have you upgraded to promote sports and provide opportunities for young people in your county?” he asked.
The MP urged Governor Natembeya to stop pushing for ethnic-based politics and instead focus on promoting fairness and equal opportunities for all Kenyans. Salasya emphasized that the country should be working toward a system where people succeed based on merit and competence—not tribe or political connections.
“We want a Kenya where everyone has access to opportunities based on their skills and qualifications, not because of where they come from,” he stated.
Governor Natembeya, a vocal critic of President William Ruto’s administration, has in recent months tried to position himself as the political leader or ‘kingpin’ of the Luhya community. During his Spice FM interview, he also called for a new law that would ban government officials, including the president, from running private businesses.
According to Natembeya, barring public officials from engaging in business would allow ordinary citizens to thrive in an economic environment currently dominated by politically powerful individuals. He argued that politicians who run businesses while in office have an unfair advantage, making it difficult for ordinary entrepreneurs to succeed.
Salasya’s fiery response to Natembeya’s comments reflects a growing tension among leaders from the western region, as debates over ethnic representation and political leadership continue to intensify ahead of future elections.
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