Mulembe politics: Baraza slams Mudavadi, backs Natembeya

Bungoma County gubernatorial aspirant Zachariah Baraza has called on political leaders from across the western Kenya region to put aside their political differences and embrace unity, saying this is the only way the region can solidify its bargaining power on the national stage.
Speaking during a meet-the-people tour in Bungoma County, Baraza, who has declared interest in succeeding Governor Ken Lusaka in the 2027 general election, underscored the need for leaders and residents of the Mulembe nation to rally behind one political outfit. He singled out the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) as the most suitable vehicle to bring leaders together.
“If we ever want to produce a President of Kenya from western Kenya, then we must, as a people of this region, accept to unite under one major political outfit,” Baraza said. “For too long, our politics have been fragmented by mushrooming parties that end up as political kiosks serving individual interests instead of advancing the people’s agenda.”
Baraza, who is seeking Bungoma County’s top job through DAP-K, said the party offers the most credible platform to consolidate western Kenya’s political voice. He pointed to the Tawe Movement, spearheaded by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, as a bold and progressive initiative that could lay the foundation for lasting political unity in the region.
The Tawe Movement, launched in 2023, has been traversing counties such as Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, and Trans Nzoia to consolidate political leaders and communities under a common vision. Governor Natembeya has framed the movement as a rejection of divisive politics and a platform to champion the socio-economic interests of the Mulembe nation.
“Governor Natembeya has shown great commitment to the unity of our people through the Tawe Movement. His message is clear—western Kenya must say tawe (no) to exploitation, disunity, and leaders who betray the people’s trust,” Baraza noted.
Zachariah Baraza addressing his supporters during a rally in Bungoma town yesterday. Image// ZB Press.
At the same time, Baraza hit out at what he termed as failures of senior leaders from the region, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, accusing them of neglecting the plight of western Kenya despite occupying influential positions in government.
“Unfortunately, we have leaders like Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula who sit at the center of the decision-making table in government, yet they cannot protect our agenda as the people of western Kenya, especially here in Bungoma County,” he said.
He cited the privatisation and collapse of key industries such as Nzoia Sugar Company and Pan Paper Mills, which once served as the backbone of the regional economy. According to Baraza, the failure to safeguard these institutions left thousands of families in poverty after losing their jobs and sources of livelihood.
“Let’s be honest with each other. Both Musalia and Wetang’ula are responsible for the problems facing the Mulembe nation. Nzoia Sugar and Pan Paper were our only economic giants, but they have all been privatized and mismanaged, leaving thousands of workers jobless,” Baraza lamented.
He pledged that, if elected governor, his administration would prioritize the revival of Bungoma’s economy through investment in agro-industries, youth empowerment, and infrastructure development.
“My promise to the people of Bungoma is simple: I will fight for an economy that works for everyone. We can not allow our industries to collapse while our leaders watch in silence. It is time for a new generation of leaders who will put the interests of our people first,” he added.
Tawe ovement
Reacting to the growing debate over his unity drive, Governor Natembeya dismissed claims that he was a “political project” being used to undermine Western Kenya leadership.
“The Tawe Movement is not about me as a person. It is about the people of this region saying tawe—enough is enough—to decades of political manipulation. We are saying no to poverty, no to unemployment, and no to leaders who only remember us during elections,” Natembeya said during a rally in Kakamega.
He welcomed Baraza’s endorsement, noting that more leaders are beginning to appreciate the urgency of a united Western bloc.
Critics push back
However, allies of Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula have rubbished both Baraza’s and Natembeya’s statements, accusing them of disrespecting seasoned leaders.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa argued that Mudavadi and Wetang’ula have delivered development projects to the region and should not be undermined.
“Natembeya and his Tawe Movement are nothing but political theatrics meant to create division in the Mulembe nation. Our people know their true leaders, and that is why they continue to stand with Musalia and Wetang’ula, who are at the centre of national power,” Didmus Barasa said.
On his part, Webuye East MP Martin Wanyonyi insisted that unity must be pursued without dismissing leaders who have been in the political arena for decades.
“Unity cannot come by insulting or sidelining others. If Baraza and Natembeya are serious, they should work with existing leaders to build consensus instead of creating unnecessary rifts,” Wanyonyi remarked.