Why Wamalwa might soon ditch Kalonzo, Gachagua to join Ruto

Eugene Wamalwa addressing press

Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, a key figure within the United Opposition, has raised eyebrows with recent moves that suggest he may be inching closer to the government he has long criticised.

Wamalwa attended a funeral in TransNzoia with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who used the occasion to signal a potential reconciliation among Western region leaders, including those aligned with the state.

Wetang’ula reminded attendees that in politics, there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends, and that interests often outweigh loyalty.

“Eugene, I agree. Let’s unite. I have talked with Oparanya, I have talked with Musalia, and if you look at how we are, Musalia, Oparanya, and I are on one side, and that is why you should come to where we are so that we can build a huge team to bargain harder and better,” Wetang’ula said.

According to Wamalwa, the shared interests of the Mulembe region unite these leaders, whether in opposition or government. Wetang’ula further suggested that, in the future, should one of them gain an advantage in a presidential race, the others would shelve their ambitions to support their colleague.

Following the funeral, Wamalwa met with Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, a key ally of President William Ruto. He hinted at continued collaboration in a social media post, stating:

“Delighted to catch up with my brother CS @DrOparanya, with whom I have worked closely in the past and intend to continue working with in the future, in our quest for the unity and prosperity of the Mulembe Nation and the greater Kenyan Nation. Watch this space!”

While these actions have fueled speculation that Wamalwa may be preparing to leave the United Opposition—recently rebranded as the United Alternative Government by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka—and join the government, the DAP-K leader has publicly denied such intentions.

Wamalwa revealed that government proxies have repeatedly attempted to lure him into Cabinet positions, including offers to revive the Justice and Cohesion Ministry or take up the Defence, Environment, or Health docket, all of which he refused.

“These speculations are mere propaganda, a strategy aimed at pressuring me to join the government and indirectly support President Ruto’s reelection,” Wamalwa said.

Wamalwa Oparanya meeting

The repeated patterns and political signalling, however, cannot be ignored. Wamalwa’s measured statements, combined with visible coordination with government-aligned figures like Oparanya, suggest a careful balancing act.

On one hand, he publicly denies any intention of joining the government; on the other, his actions hint at a readiness to collaborate with the very side he once opposed.

In Kenyan politics, such dual positioning is rarely accidental.

Natembeya Wamalwa wrangles

With this coming at a time when he is at loggerheads with his deputy party leader, George Natembeya, over the leadership of the party, where Natembeya wants to take over as party leader. This has come at a moment when Natembeya is enjoying political clout, and the Mulembe locals seem to be slowly embracing him and want him to be the leader.

Their feud has escalated to higher levels, forcing the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to convene an eight-member committee to look into their dispute.

Wamalwa might be crafting his own space and shunning supremacy battles with his deputy, whom he brought into politics and worked tirelessly to see him elected as TransNzoia governor.