Two prominent Kenya Kwanza figures in Trans Nzoia County have thrown their hats into the ring to challenge Governor George Natembeya in the 2027 elections, setting the stage for what could become one of Western Kenya’s most closely watched gubernatorial battles.
Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and ex-Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa formally declared their candidatures on 22 November 2025 during a closed-door meeting with Luhya community elders and opinion leaders in Kitale.
Nakhumicha’s Shift in Ambition
Nakhumicha, who currently serves as Kenya’s permanent representative to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, told the gathering that her clan had withdrawn its earlier endorsement for her to run for the county’s woman representative seat and instead directed her to contest the governorship.
“I want to thank you for the new directive,” she said. “From today I will walk knowing that I belong to the whole of Trans Nzoia.”
Wamalwa Launches Second Bid
Wamalwa, who narrowly lost the 2022 gubernatorial race to Natembeya, framed the day as the official launch of his second bid.
“My journey to become the governor of Trans Nzoia County has begun today,” he declared, invoking the Swahili proverb “panapo wazee hapaharibiki jambo” — where elders sit, things do not go wrong — to underline the importance of the community’s blessing.
Both candidates emphasized inclusivity in the cosmopolitan county, where the Luhya form one of the largest voting blocs but coexist with Kalenjin, Kikuyu, and other communities.
Battle for the Ford Kenya Ticket
The declarations place Nakhumicha and Wamalwa on a collision course for the Forum for Restoration of Democracy-Kenya ticket, the dominant Kenya Kwanza affiliate in the region. Ford Kenya is led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Natembeya’s most vocal critic in Western Kenya.
Natembeya, a first-term governor and former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, shocked many when he recently abandoned presidential ambitions and announced he will seek re-election on the Democratic Action Party-Kenya ticket.
The governor has spent months touring the broader Western region attacking Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, accusing the two of failing to deliver for the Luhya community despite their high-ranking positions in President William Ruto’s administration.
Perceived Strategies and Past Wins
Political observers in Kitale see Nakhumicha’s entry as a calculated move by Wetang’ula’s camp to counter Natembeya’s growing influence. Her recent appointment as United Nations Human Settlements Programme ambassador is widely viewed as a reward from State House for her loyalty during the Kenya Kwanza campaigns.
In 2022, Natembeya defied the Kenya Kwanza wave that swept much of the North Rift, defeating Wamalwa 158,919 votes to 79,020. Analysts say the governor’s popularity has since grown, particularly among non-Luhya voters who credit him with improved security and infrastructure.
Looking Ahead to 2027
With two high-profile Kenya Kwanza candidates now openly courting the same voter base that backed Natembeya three years ago, the 2027 race in Trans Nzoia appears headed for a dramatic three-way contest — or an even fiercer Ford Kenya primary if the party opts for nominations.
For now, the question on many lips across the county remains the same one Nakhumicha and Wamalwa hope to answer: Can either of them topple George Natembeya?
