A delegation of elders, professionals and leaders from Kiambu County on Friday, February 21, 2025, travelled to Kitale in Trans Nzoia County to apologise to Governor George Natembeya.
This is following a January 3, 2025 incident where Kikuyu Constituency Member of Parliament, Kimani Ichungw’ah insulted Natembeya during the burial of the mother of the Speaker of the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula.
Led by former Thika Town Mayor, John Waweru, the delegation carried a white-male goat to Natembeya to express their remorsefulness.
The goat was received at the County government of Trans Nzoia headquarters by Natembeya’s political advisor, Joshua Werunga, Trade County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Patrick Gacheru, Natembeya’s Personal Assistant Emmanuel Wamalwa and members of Bukusu Council of elders.
Addressing the press, Waweru urged the county boss to focus on uniting the people of his community and the entire Western region.
“With a lot of humility, we have come to apologise to Governor Natembeya on behalf of the people of Kikuyu Constituency and Kiambu County,” Waweru stated.
Why Kiambu elders presented a goat to Natembeya
Kimani Wanjiku, a member of the delegation and Kikuyu Constituency Member of Parliament hopeful said the National Assembly leader of the majority publicly displayed disrespect by attacking Natembeya at a burial ceremony.
“Natembeya’s call to President William Ruto to order an end to abductions should not have been blown out of proportion by Ichungw’a. We the people of Kikuyu Constituency distance ourselves from Ichungw’ah,” Kimani stated.
In addition, Mungai Karumbe who is eyeing the Kiambaa parliamentary seat said Ichungw’a must be stopped from displaying extreme arrogance and disrespect.
“We are known to be very peaceful people in Kenya and what Mr. Kimani Ichungw’a did is not acceptable in any progressive community like ours,” he said.
David Wanyoike, a businessman in Kakamega town argued that what the lawmaker said was meant to dim the rising political star of Governor Natembeya.
“It is in the public domain that Natembeya’s star continues to shine and enemies of progress like Ichungwa are very jealous. We are telling Natembeya that we will work with him come whatever may,” emphasized Wanyoike.
While acknowledging the good gesture from the visitors, Werunga said they are planning to reciprocate by paying homage to Kiambu County.
“On behalf of our Governor, we in one accord accept your apologies. Soon, we will pay you a visit so that we chat our way forward,” said the former Trans Nzoia County Assembly Speaker.
Speaking on behalf of the Bukusu Council of Elders, Christopher Makokha, the council’s chair lauded the Kikuyu community elders and professionals for initiating the process.
Will Natembeya vie for the presidency in 2027?
Political pundits interpret this as a political realignment. Natembeya’s name has been mentioned on many political platforms as he is seen as a potential successor of President William Ruto who will be defending his seat in the 2027 general elections.
The former regional commissioner serving his first term as a county boss rose to fame after daring the Western region’s perceived political kingpins (National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi).
Natembeya is known for his Tawe movement.
It remains to be seen whether the administrator-turned-politician will flex his muscles and give a shot at the Presidency.
Also read: George Natembeya Says He’ll Continue Pushing for Luhya Unity, Dismiss Tribalist Tag
