United Opposition brigade led by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and his Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) campaign team were on Saturday attacked while heading to a campaign event, in an incident that left several vehicles destroyed as political temperatures rise during ongoing by-elections.
The confrontation occurred as the team was en route to a rally, with tensions already high due to fierce competition in various by-elections across Western Kenya. The clashes are believed to be linked to increasing political rivalry among local factions eager to assert dominance in the region.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Governor Natembeya condemned the attack, describing it as a cowardly attempt to intimidate his campaign machinery.
“We have been attacked. Several cars have been destroyed. He’s a coward,” Natembeya wrote. “But we are not moving an inch. Wacha damu yetu iwe sadaka ya kukomboa Mluhya. We will not be intimidated or shaken. We soldier on!”
Photos shared online showed smashed windscreens and damaged vehicles. Despite the chaos, no serious injuries were reported. Authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident or identify the perpetrators.
After the attack, Natembeya’s team proceeded with their planned activities and held a rally at Mukweye in Kabuchai Ward to drum up support for Eric Wafula, the DAP-K MCA aspirant.
Natembeya urged security agencies to act swiftly, warning that heightened intimidation and violence threaten the credibility of the ongoing electoral process.
By-Elections Fuel Supremacy Battles Across the Country
The attack on Natembeya’s convoy comes at a time when several by-elections across Kenya have ignited a fierce supremacy contest among leading political formations.
In Western Kenya, where coalition dynamics remain fluid, parties are pushing aggressively to seize ward seats viewed as strategic entry points into larger political territories ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The contests have turned into proxy battles between regional heavyweights seeking to solidify their bases, with emerging alliances testing their influence against established political kingpins.
Across the country, by-elections in counties such as Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Machakos, and Kisii have triggered high-stakes campaigns characterized by intense mobilization, heavy spending, and increased security concerns. These mini-polls have become crucial battlegrounds where political leaders are measuring their popularity, recalibrating their networks, and positioning themselves for future coalitions.
Political analysts observe that the fights are no longer just about ward representatives—each contest is now a symbol of who controls which region, who is gaining ground, and who is losing grip. Parties are using the by-elections to test messages, build grassroots structures, and demonstrate dominance.
As the by-elections continue, authorities are under pressure to ensure peaceful campaigns and credible outcomes, amid rising fears that violence and intimidation could become a recurring tactic in highly contested regions.