NAIROBI, KENYA – The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) on Friday, November 21, 2025, moved to quash swirling rumours of a leadership coup, officially distancing itself from a communique that announced Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya as the new party leader. The party leadership has labelled the announcement as misinformation aimed at destabilising its structure.

This incident is the latest flashpoint in a protracted and increasingly public power struggle within the party, pitting current leader and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa against the ambitious Governor Natembeya. While the party has previously dealt with such disinformation, including a widely circulated fake poster in July 2025 claiming a similar takeover, this recent event underscores the deepening divisions that threaten the party's cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Roots of the Conflict

The internal turmoil, which began escalating in mid-2025, revolves around competing visions for the party's future. Governor Natembeya has been championing a radical rebranding and expansion of DAP-K, arguing it needs to shed its image as a Western Kenya-centric entity to gain a national appeal. His faction, described as a liberal wing, has been pushing for internal reforms and a change in leadership to reflect a more inclusive, national outlook.

Conversely, a faction loyal to Eugene Wamalwa, viewed as the party's conservative wing, advocates for maintaining the current structure and direction. Allies of Wamalwa have accused Governor Natembeya of orchestrating an internal coup, with some alleging external interference aimed at weakening the party, which has become a significant political player in its strongholds. Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya, a staunch Wamalwa supporter, has previously claimed that Natembeya's push was backed by the state to destabilise the party. Governor Natembeya has vehemently denied these claims, stating the push for change is driven by internal dissatisfaction and a genuine desire for reform, not external forces.

A Battle Fought Through Petitions

The leadership contest has been formalized through official party channels, with rival factions submitting petitions to the party's Internal Disputes Resolution Committee (IDRC). In early August 2025, the party's Secretary General, Dr. Eseli Simiyu, confirmed the receipt of petitions seeking the removal of both Wamalwa and Natembeya from their positions. This move highlighted the stark divisions, as members sought official intervention to resolve the leadership question.

Following a tense National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on August 12, 2025, the party established a nine-member committee to adjudicate the disputes, with both leaders pledging to respect its findings. However, the public pronouncements continued, with Governor Natembeya holding a separate press conference after the NEC meeting, dismissing claims of external meddling and asserting that some party officials carried “old political baggage.”

Implications for Kenyan Politics

The infighting within DAP-K carries significant implications for the political landscape in Western Kenya and the broader opposition coalition. As a key party within the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition, its internal stability is crucial for the opposition's united front. The ongoing feud threatens to split the party's support base, potentially weakening its influence in a region that is a critical battleground in national elections.

Governor Natembeya's calls for a national profile for the party, while framed as a push for growth, are also widely seen as a positioning move for his own national political ambitions. His denial of attempting a hostile takeover is coupled with a clear assertion that the party must evolve. As the party navigates this turbulent period, the key question remains whether its internal dispute resolution mechanisms can forge a path to unity or if the ideological and personal rifts will lead to an irreparable fracture. The party's official denial of the leadership change communique is a temporary measure, but the underlying battle for the soul of DAP-K is far from over. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.