Natembeya: I Won’t Back Gachagua for President in 2027

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has declared he will not support fomer Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua should he seek the presidency in the 2027 general elections, arguing that Kenya’s leadership must rotate among regions and communities.

Speaking during a television interview on March 11, 2026, Natembeya said his position was rooted in principles of fairness and national cohesion rather than personal differences with the deputy president.

The governor explained that he shares a professional history with Gachagua dating back to their time in the provincial administration. Despite their political differences today, he said they maintain open and candid conversations.

“We share history. He was in the provincial administration like myself. Of course, he rose to a certain rank before going into private business. We speak very frankly about issues affecting our people,” Natembeya said.

For more background on Kenya’s political dynamics, read our coverage of Kenya’s 2027 election outlook and the evolving role of the deputy president in Kenya.

History and Political Relationship

Natembeya noted that while they may sometimes disagree on policy implementation, they share a broader goal of advancing Kenya’s development.

He also expressed sympathy for Gachagua’s past political struggles, suggesting that the deputy president’s earlier experiences shaped his political outlook.

“I’m sure he doesn’t want any other Kenyan to go through what he went through just for speaking out,” Natembeya said, referencing periods when Gachagua faced political pressure.

The governor recalled how provincial administrators often carried out instructions from central government leadership.

“Some of us in the province are very loyal people. When you are told, ‘go and say this,’ you go and say it,” he said.

Asked directly whether he would support Gachagua if the courts cleared him to run for president in 2027, Natembeya answered firmly.

“No, because I believe that the presidency should rotate,” he said.

Natembeya argued that political stability in Kenya depends on equitable leadership representation across regions. In his view, extended dominance by one region risks fueling political competition and resentment.

Debate Over Leadership Rotation

The governor pointed specifically to perceptions surrounding the Mount Kenya region’s influence in national politics.

“The Mount Kenya community has had it for three years, almost,” he said, suggesting that continued concentration of power could intensify competition for the presidency.

According to Natembeya, some leaders and residents in his region prefer that the presidency shift to another community in the next electoral cycle.

“Many of them are not even very keen on the president and the deputy president. They want that to be taken by somebody else,” he said.

Natembeya’s remarks highlight the growing debate over regional power balance ahead of the 2027 elections, as political leaders begin positioning themselves in Kenya’s evolving electoral landscape.