Mr. Cleophas Malala and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya have hugged as a sign of reunion following their explosive public spat early this week over elections rivalry in Kakamega County.
Malala had earlier accused the vocal governor of working with the National Intelligence Service NIS to interfere with opposition unity ahead of the upcoming by-elections countrywide.
Mr. Malala claimed during a campaign rally in Kisa East on November 14, 2025, that Natembeya, as a State mole, is being used by the NIS to weaken the opposition from within.
“Serikali imeona kwamba tunaenda kushinda viti vyote ikaita George Natembeya ikampa pesa akuje hapa Kisa achokore hapa ndio serikali ishinde,” Malala said.
During this rally, the former UDA Party Secretary General accused the governor of declining to leave the Kisa East Ward seat for the DCP candidate as per the united opposition’s agreement.
Days later, George Natembeya’s publicity team shared clips showing the two politicians hug and shake hands as a sign of mending fences. A source reported that the two had been prevailed upon by colleagues in the opposition to work together because any unabated fallout could harm their candidates nationwide.
Mr. Natembeya had taken issue with Malala’s utterances which he descriobed as false because he(Natembeya) has never been paid anything for any course by the current president. “Sijawai chukuwa pesa yoyote hata sumuni kutoka kwa Ruto tangu siku zangu nikiwa Regional Commissioner hadi sasa,” he firmly reacted.
Top united opposition leaders are in the Western region as they campaign for their candidates ahead of the November 27 by-elections. Similarly, the State wing led by President William Ruto’s top aide Farouk Kibet is also camping in the area to make sure they carry the victories
The campaigns have now entered fever pitch with the opposition seemingly having intensified efforts countrywide under their rallying call of One Term