Trans Nzoia Deputy Governor Declares Support for William Ruto
- A rift between Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya and his deputy Philomena Kapkory has yet again played out in public
- The two have not been seen together in any public events since they reached a truce brokered by the Senate in 2024
- On Friday, July 11, Kapkory attended a public event in the county graced by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, where she declared her political stance, which was contrary to that of her boss
A fresh political storm is brewing in Trans Nzoia county after Governor George Natembeya’s deputy, Philomena Kapkory, publicly declared her support for President William Ruto's administration.
Source: Facebook
Natembeya has been a vocal critic of President Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration, a position that his deputy was also assumed to share.
Trans Nzoia deputy governor attends Kindiki's event
However, after months of keeping a low profile, the Trans Nzoia deputy governor made her first public appearance, surprising many by attending an event graced by top Kenya Kwanza leaders, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
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Kindiki graced the Cherang’any constituency women’s empowerment drive, which was held at AIC Kipkeikei Girls High School, an event that Natembeya’s deputy attended.
It was at the event that Kapkory publicly declared her support for the government, contrary to what her boss, Natembeya, had been preaching.
She said her support was based on Ruto fulfilling many of the promises he made to Kenyans during the 2022 campaigns.
"Are you happy to see our guests? Now, by show of hands, can I see two terms for President Ruto? Wow, I am also supporting our President 100% because we have seen what he has done in less than three years," the deputy county boss said.
She further noted that a majority of Kenyans still believe in Ruto’s leadership and that they will support his re-election bid in 2027.
Is Natembeya on good terms with his deputy?
Kapkory’s declaration comes after nearly six months of her being absent from public events. Until the event on Friday, July 11, she had not attended any public event in Trans Nzoia..
The deputy governor has kept a low profile since her fallout with Natembeya in mid-2023. Since then, the two have never been seen together, despite the Senate’s Standing Committee on Devolution, chaired by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, brokering a truce.
Kapkory had accused Natembeya’s staff of undermining her.
Source: Original
Aside from declaring her support for the government and President Ruto, the Trans Nzoia deputy governor also asked locals to shun tribal politicians.
“You are all aware we live in a very cosmopolitan county, and for that reason, we should not entertain politicians who just loiter around without any meaningful agenda for us,” she said.
Her political stance is likely to put her at odds with Natembeya, who has been leading Western Kenya politicians in criticising various government policies and actions.
Which seat will Phanice Khatundi vie for?
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that Trans Nzoia Agriculture County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Phanice Khatundi, had declared that she would vie for the County Woman Member of Parliament seat.
Khatundi said she was prepared to take on incumbent Lilian Siyoin in the 2027 General Election.
The CECM vied for the seat in 2022 on a Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ticket, but finished second behind Siyoi, who was the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Joshua Cheloti (Editorial assistant) Joshua Cheloti is a multi-skilled journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication at Mount Kenya University. At TUKO, he's an editorial assistant. Before TUKO, he worked at Nairobi Review as an editorial writer, at Hope Media (Hope TV and Hope FM) as a correspondent in Eldoret, Hivisasa.com digital content editor and online writer, at Biblia Husema Broadcasting (BHB), Eldoret as Radio Presenter. Email: Joshua.cheloti@tuko.co.ke
Emanuel Tarus I am professional multi-media journalist with eight years experience as a field-based correspondent. Integrity, objectivity and adherence to ethical standards are my guiding principles in journalism. I am based in Trans Nzoia county and very passionate about gender, crime, environment and climate change reporting. I am also interested in health, human interest, development, leadership and governance beats. In the future, I would like to specialize in diplomacy and geopolitics reporting to expand my reporting scope.
