How rivalry, tribal ties threaten to ruin Eugene Wamalwa-led DAP-K

The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) is facing fierce internal feuds that threaten to tear it apart, as it falls victim to what has become the enduring curse of Kenya’s political parties.

The three-year-old party is now on the brink of collapse due to sibling rivalry fueled by unchecked ambition, infiltration by the government, and other external forces.

It is grappling with growing discontent among its members, centred around a dispute between party leader Eugene Wamalwa and one of his deputies, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

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Such fragmentation is not new in Kenya’s multiparty politics, particularly in the Western region, with DAP-K becoming the latest casualty in a long line of parties rocked by internal coups. It follows in the footsteps of Ford Kenya, the recently dissolved Amani National Congress (ANC), and the Communist Party of Kenya (CPK).

Although the Political Parties Act mandates that parties must reflect a national outlook, DAP-K, like its predecessors, has drawn nearly all its top officials from the Western region. Apart from Treasurer Beatrice Mbingi from Eastern Kenya, the rest, including Wamalwa and Natembeya, who hail from Trans Nzoia County, are all from the same region.

Deputy Party leaders Ayub Savula and Wafula Wamunyinyi, Secretary General Eseli Simiyu, Chairman David Muchele, and Organising Secretary Dick Maungu also come from Western Kenya. Similarly, Ford Kenya’s leadership is concentrated in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia, while the defunct ANC was also largely Western-based.

Political analysts argue that this ethnic alignment is one of the primary causes of the internal divisions that weaken these parties and influence the region’s fragmented voting patterns.

“The parties are regionally aligned to their sub-tribes. Ford Kenya is dominated by the Bukusu, and that’s something they have normalised,” political commentator Ian Horsefield told The Standard.

“They’ve never voted as a bloc. They align themselves by interests and sub-tribes, and that’s their undoing,” he added.

Horsefield further cited the last general election, where votes from the region were split among various leading presidential contenders, as a consequence of the self-serving interests that dominate the way these parties are run.

“In 2013, for example, the community split their votes, with the majority supporting ODM leader Raila Odinga, while others backed former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and some voted for Musalia Mudavadi,” he said.

DAP-K was formed in December 2021 ahead of the 2022 general elections, after a failed attempt by a Ford Kenya faction, led by then-Secretary General Dr Eseli Simiyu and Wafula Wamunyinyi, to topple party leader Moses Wetang’ula. After their efforts were thwarted, they joined forces with then-Defense CS Eugene Wamalwa to launch DAP-K.

The CPK similarly suffered internal rifts when leaders Benedict Wachira and Mwandawiro Mghanga joined President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance. This led to party divisions and a petition to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal challenging the legality of their decision.

ANC met its demise earlier this year after merging with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). However, grassroots leaders criticized party founder Mudavadi for the merger, accusing him of betrayal.

Now, DAP-K faces rival petitions before its National Management Council (NMC), with factions seeking the removal of both Wamalwa and Natembeya. There are also calls to amend the party’s constitution. The core issue appears to be personal ambition, with top leaders accused of prioritizing individual careers over party unity.

Tensions peaked last week when Natembeya stormed out of a press conference with Wamalwa following a six-hour National Executive Council (NEC) crisis meeting at DAP-K’s Chui House headquarters in Karen, Nairobi. Minutes later, Natembeya held a separate media briefing alongside Savula, underlining the deepening split.

The NEC meeting resolved to form a nine-member tribunal to investigate the petitions and issue recommendations within 30 days.

Speaking to The Standard, Secretary General Eseli Simiyu said those pushing for Wamalwa’s removal believe he is too weak to steer the party towards the 2027 elections.

“Natembeya was accused of forming another party, while other NEC members were accused of nepotism,” Simiyu noted.

Despite a unified front in public, the leaders’ body language and demeanor suggested deep dissatisfaction, possibly with the resolutions reached. Wamalwa accused President Ruto of sponsoring divisions within the party.

“We are aware of attempts to destabilise our party. DAP is not going to be divided or blackmailed into supporting the so-called broad-based government,” he said.

Wamalwa-aligned MPs, including Kiminini’s Kakai Bisau and Mumias East’s Peter Salasya, accused Natembeya of being used by external forces. “He has enjoyed the party’s full support during his gubernatorial campaign, impeachment attempts, and corruption allegations,” said Bisau.

But Natembeya dismissed claims of government interference, framing the dispute as an ideological battle.

“When you claim the problem is external, you’re only playing lip service. We must face and resolve the real issues,” Natembea said, accusing NEC members of importing “Ford Kenya’s political dirt” into DAP-K.

“Eugene said there is a leadership dispute because Natembeya wants his position. Let the NEC decide, whoever is strong should lead, and we’ll follow,” added Savula.

Political analyst Javas Bigambo interpreted Natembeya’s walkout as a strategic move to gain public sympathy and test his political strength. “He’s trying to see who’s with Wetang’ula and who’s with him. His goal is to become the next Bukusu kingpin,” Bigambo said.

These divisions come months ahead of the anticipated by-elections, particularly in Malava Constituency, where DAP-K is expected to face stiff competition. However, Bigambo believes the wrangles may be “inconsequential” in the short term, saying Natembeya’s camp is focused on consolidating power for 2027 and beyond.