AOB 9ST/07/20205

Cortedivoire

Elder Lister
Staff member
IMG-20250708-WA0009.webp
 
Politics

[Elvis Ogina/Standard]

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has triggered debate following his remarks on the socio-economic status of the Luhya community.


In a bold and emotionally charged segment, the vocal governor said that Luhyas remain among the poorest communities in Kenya, not because of a lack of ability or opportunity, but due to deeply entrenched political patterns that have held them back.


“I think we, the Luhyas, are the poorest community in this nation,” Natembeya said in an interview with Spice FM.

“Just look at the kind of lives our people live and the menial jobs they do all over the country. Someone gives birth in Murang’a, and they immediately want a house girl from Vihiga. Someone wants a watchman, they’ll look for a Luhya. Grave diggers are Luhyas. And it’s all because of how we do our politics,” he added.




Natembeya lamented the lack of strategic political leadership within the region, arguing that leaders have often prioritized personal gain over long-term empowerment of their constituents.

Taking aim at the government's response to the recent protests, the governor reiterated that the power belongs to the people.

“If one million Kenyans decide to march to the State House, will you kill all of them? At the end of the day, power belongs to the people. All these walls we’re building, they're fake walls,” he said.

His comments have since drawn mixed reactions online, with some praising his honesty and others accusing him of reinforcing stereotypes.

@kguantai weighed in, "Investment in education is still low in the whole Western region. From primary to tertiary level. The community also lacks a viable economic activity that they can make money from. Look closely and see the money circulation in various towns, and notice Western Kenya is trailing."

@arif_kirio asked, "What has he done as a governor to change that?"

@oweItuti disagreed with Natembeya, saying, "Lies. Those jobs he's mentioned attract Luhyas because of 'positive' prejudice. People perceive them as more industrious and honest. There's no data to ascertain significant differences between tribes on poverty per capita in this country."

Natembeya, known for his no-nonsense leadership style both as a former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner and now as governor, has increasingly positioned himself as a reformist voice within Western Kenya with his popular Tawe movement, challenging what he sees as stagnant leadership.
 
Prime Minister Winston Churchill:“I do not admit... that a great wrong has been done to the Red Indians of America, or the black people of Australia.I do not admit that a wrong has been done to those people by the fact that a stronger race, a higher‑grade race, or, at any rate, a more worldly‑wise race, to put it that way, has come in and taken their place.I do not admit it. I do not think the Red Indians had any right to say, ‘American continent belongs to us and we are not going to have any of these European settlers coming in here.’ They had not the right, nor had they the power.”
 
Back
Top