The cracks in the United Opposition are widening at a dangerous pace, threatening to destabilise the fragile coalition that has held together the anti-government front.
On Friday, November 14, DCP Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala delivered a blistering attack on Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, accusing him of secretly working with President William Ruto to weaken the movement from within.
Malala’s claims have triggered fresh questions about loyalty, betrayal, and the future of an opposition already battling internal mistrust. The fallout now risks derailing their hopes ahead of crucial by-elections.
Growing Cracks in United Opposition
Malala took his fight to Kakamega residents, saying Governor Natembeya had teamed up with the National Intelligence Service to infiltrate the opposition and sabotage its unity. He insisted the DAP-Kenya deputy party leader had embraced a covert mission to ensure pro-government candidates dominate the upcoming by-elections.
Malala told supporters that President Ruto bribed Natembeya to influence the results in favour of the ruling side. He singled out the Kisa East MCA race, saying Natembeya had crossed county borders with a mission to divide the opposition front.
The DCP deputy leader said the governor was disrupting local campaigns and sowing discord between Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP and Eugene Wamalwa’s DAP-Kenya. Malala painted Natembeya as a double-minded leader still stuck in his policing past and working under the direction of NIS to weaken the opposition from within.
He labelled Natembeya a mole sent to break the movement, arguing that the governor had refused to adapt to his role as a political leader.
Malala’s remarks hit only days after DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa dismissed allegations that he was considering joining President Ruto’s broad-based administration. Wamalwa urged the opposition to stay united and vigilant, saying any talks with the government would only happen with the entire opposition team on board.
Malala Claims Government Interference in Opposition Unity
Malala alleged that government operatives were determined to frustrate the opposition’s growing momentum. He claimed Ruto’s administration feared losing the upcoming by-elections and had resorted to bribing opposition leaders to sabotage campaigns.
According to Malala, Natembeya’s reported actions in Kisa East proved that the ruling coalition was aggressively influencing local politics. He insisted the governor’s presence in Kakamega had nothing to do with grassroots support and everything to do with a wider scheme to plant division.
Below is a summary of Malala’s accusations
| Issue raised by Malala | Allegation |
|---|---|
| Natembeya working with NIS | To divide the opposition |
| Government bribery claims | Natembeya bribed to favour pro-government candidates |
| Disruption in Kisa East | Governor accused of interfering with MCA campaigns |
| Internal division | Rift between DCP and DAP-Kenya blamed on Natembeya |
Malala maintained that the government’s plan involved weakening both DCP and DAP-Kenya to reduce their influence ahead of 2027.
Natembeya Accused of Derailing Opposition Collaboration
Malala further claimed Natembeya was committed to frustrating unity between the two main Western Kenya opposition blocs. He told the crowd that the governor was leading a mission to break the coordination between Gachagua’s DCP and Wamalwa’s DAP-Kenya.
He argued that Natembeya had come to Kisa East purely to trigger instability and weaken both parties before the by-election. He accused the governor of advancing the government’s agenda and betraying opposition supporters who expected him to defend their interests.
Malala told supporters that Natembeya’s behaviour was proof he had not transitioned fully from a career in uniform to democratic politics. He said the governor was still operating like an officer taking orders, not a leader defending the will of the people.
Wamalwa Responds to Unity Tensions
DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa stepped in to cool the political heat. Speaking on Wednesday, November 12, Wamalwa denied claims that he was planning to join Ruto’s broad-based government. He instead sought to reassure opposition supporters that their mission to defeat President Ruto in 2027 remained firm.
Wamalwa admitted he had received many calls questioning rumours that Ruto was courting him and Kalonzo Musyoka. He said Gachagua even asked whether the reports were true. Wamalwa responded that if Ruto ever reached out, they would involve the entire opposition, with Gachagua acting as their spokesperson.
He said no leader should act alone or make personal deals with the government. Wamalwa insisted the opposition must hold the line and resist President Ruto’s attempts to infiltrate and weaken them.
He urged Kenyans to remain alert and reject the government’s tactics of divide-and-rule. Wamalwa said the united opposition still held the power to unseat Ruto in 2027, but only if internal betrayal stopped.
