A new survey has ranked Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya as the most influential Luhya political leader.
According to an Infotrak survey released on January 8, 2026, Natembeya leads the race for the Luhya kingpin position with 50 per cent support.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi comes second with 32 per cent support, followed closely by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who are both tied at 31 per cent.
Other leaders mentioned in the survey include former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala and Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, among others.
Natembeya has been vocal in Western Kenya, where he has openly criticised President William Ruto’s administration. He is widely known for his popular “Tawe” slogan, which has gained traction among his supporters.
The same survey shows that Western Kenya remains a highly competitive political region despite the cooperation between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) at the national level.
ODM holds a slight lead in the region with 25 per cent support, while UDA follows closely at 20 per cent.
The findings come as political parties prepare for the 2027 General Election, a period marked by shifting alliances and increased political competition.
ODM has dominated Western Kenya politics for nearly two decades, mainly due to its strong support for devolution and its ability to build broad political coalitions. The party rose to prominence in the region in 2007 after winning 99 parliamentary seats and attracting Luhya voters with promises of power-sharing.
In the 2013 General Election, Raila Odinga, running under the CORD coalition, won 62.2 per cent of the vote in Western Kenya, defeating Musalia Mudavadi, who received 29.1 per cent.
However, ODM is now facing fresh challenges following Odinga’s death and the exit of senior party leaders. On December 31, 2025, former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya announced his intention to leave ODM and urged leaders in the region to unite under National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
The Infotrak report notes that although ODM and UDA are cooperating at the national level, political competition on the ground in Western Kenya remains intense.
The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), led by former Interior Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Governor George Natembeya, is also gaining popularity in the region, posing a growing challenge to ODM’s long-standing dominance.
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