A rift has emerged among Vihiga elders over a recent move in which a section of the elders endorsed Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya as the Mulembe Community spokesperson, a position currently held by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

Barely five days after Natembeya’s endorsement which took place in Sabatia, Mudavadi’s hometown, another group of elders has come out accusing their colleagues of impersonating the “real” elders. The new group, led by John Chepseba and Simon Muhindi under the Western Kenya Council of Elders (Vihiga Chapter), has slammed those who, on Saturday the 27th, “blessed” Governor Natembeya by handing him a symbolic staff and whisk, which allegedly signified leadership.

During the event on Saturday the 27th , notable and influential elders drawn from the four communities of Vihiga County were present. They expressed confidence in Natembeya’s leadership, describing him as a firm and vocal leader capable of steering the western region’s affairs.

Governor Natembeya’s endorsement has stirred up a political debate, positioning him as Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi’s closest political rival in the western region. Mudavadi was installed as the Mulembe Community spokesperson on December 31, 2016.