Fresh fallout in United Opposition as Malala accuses Natembeya of being NIS mole

Campaigns for the November 27 by-elections have laid bare widening rifts within the United Opposition, with key figures openly clashing over which candidates should be fronted or withdrawn in favour of others within the coalition.

The dispute escalated after DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala accused Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya of being influenced by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to create divisions in the opposition.

At the heart of the row, the Kisa East Ward campaigns where DCP and DAP-Kenya are facing off with UDA.

Natembeya, who is the DAP-K Deputy Party Leader, fired back, suggesting that those sponsored by the government to destabilize the opposition are already well known.

“Mimi nashangaa gavana Natembeya ni mtu wa heshima lakini nagundua uko na ile akili ya askari…unakula kwa mshtakiwa, unakula kwa mfungwa na kwa hakimu…Natembeya anatumiwa na NIS akuje agonganishe United Opposition,” Malala claimed.

Natembeya retorted: “Mimi sijawahi kula pesa ya Ruto hata shilingi moja, wale wamekula pesa ya Ruto wanajulikana.”

Natembeya’s earlier call for the DCP candidate in the Kisa East Ward by-election to step down in favour of a DAP-K contender was strongly criticised by Malala, who termed the remarks unfortunate and contrary to resolutions previously adopted by the United Opposition.

“Serikali imeona kwamba tunaenda kushinda viti vyote ikaita George Natembeya ikampa pesa akuje hapa Kisa achokore hapa ndio serikali ishinde,” Malala said.

“Wale wanaopiga kelele hapa ndio wametumwa kutuvuruga…” Natembeya responded.

Meanwhile, a section of DCP leaders from Kakamega has also denounced Natembeya’s comments, cautioning him against interfering in Kakamega politics and urging him to focus on issues affecting Trans Nzoia.

“Hatuombi ruhusa kwenda Kakamega. Headquarters ya Waluhya ni Kakamega. Eti nikienda kuombea maskini kura eti ni lazima niombe ruhusa,” Natembeya clapped back.

Principals of both parties kept off the topic when asked to address the issue of growing divisions.