Natembeya Explains Babu Owino Microphone Clash in Kitale
He said he later agreed to take on a limited role, where he would introduce three leaders before handing over the microphone.
Trans Nzoia Governor george Natembeya explains his side of the microphone confrontation with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Kitale, saying he acted according to the programme and protocol he understood had been agreed. Photo:Facebook.
By Robert Mutasi
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has explained his side of the microphone confrontation with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Kitale, saying he acted according to the programme and protocol he understood had been agreed.
Speaking on a local radio station on Thursday, September 24, 2026, Natembeya said he was initially reluctant to serve as the master of ceremonies after being approached while the group was travelling from Soi Club towards Kitale.
“Mimi kwa maisha yangu sijawahi kuwa Master of Ceremony,” Natembeya said.
He said he later agreed to take on a limited role, where he would introduce three leaders before handing over the microphone.
“Mimi nikamwambia mimi sitasimama pale nikuwe master of ceremony kuanzia mwanzo mpaka mwisho. Nitaamsha viongozi tu watatu, mimi mwenyewe nitaongea, Sifuna ataongea alafu Orengo ataongea,” he said.
Natembeya said he subsequently agreed with Bumula MP Jack Wamboka on how the programme would proceed.
According to the governor, the disagreement arose after he introduced the leaders and handed the microphone to Wamboka. He said Babu then moved to take the microphone, prompting him to remind the MP to follow the agreed speaking order.
“Nikamwambia, ‘Bana we relax, fuata namba, maana mimi nilikuwa najua kama ni protocol,’” Natembeya said.
He added that he believed the rally had a predetermined programme that leaders were expected to follow.
“Huwezi kuja Nairobi kuja ku dictate Kitale,” he said.
Natembeya said he later learned that Linda Mwananchi rallies had their own established format, in which Babu normally invited leaders and other speakers to address the crowd.
“So wakati mimi nimalize kuamsha watu watatu, nikapatia Wamboka mic,” he said.
The governor said the arrangement had not been clearly communicated to him before the event.
“I didn’t know because later I was told that in these Linda Mwananchi meetings, this Babu Owino is the one who usually wakes people who want to speak,” Natembeya said.
Babu’s earlier explanation
Babu Owino gave a different account of the confrontation in an interview with a local media station on August 12, 2026.
The Embakasi East MP said Natembeya was unfamiliar with the way Linda Mwananchi rallies were organised because it was his first time attending one of the movement’s events.
“Each formation has got different leadership styles and that is how Linda Mwananchi operates,” Babu said.
He said Natembeya’s role was to introduce the principals before handing the microphone to him.
“His work was to invite principals only and then hand over the microphone to me but he wanted to conduct the whole show,” Babu said.
Babu also said the confrontation followed Natembeya’s attempt to take control of the microphone during the rally.
The Kitale incident was followed by another disagreement involving Babu and Wamboka after the Bumula MP took the microphone while Babu was addressing the gathering.
Natembeya insists on protocol
In his latest explanation, Natembeya maintained that political gatherings involving senior leaders require a clearly defined programme and speaking order.
“And I don’t know why mtu alikuwa anapiga kelele hata hata aki mambo ya protocol. You must have protocol,” he said.
“Yeah, in any place where uko na serious presidential candidate, you must have protocol.”
Natembeya compared the situation with meetings involving President William Ruto, saying organisers would ordinarily establish the order in which leaders speak.
“Protocol must be there,” he said.
Despite the confrontation, Natembeya said he did not regard the incident as a personal conflict with Babu.
“Lakini hatuna vita kati yetu,” he said.
“Yaani mimi sioni kama niko na mahali amenitusi.”
He added that political negotiations among the leaders had continued despite disagreements over the organisation of rallies and other issues.
“Labda sasa negotiations tulikuwa tunaenda, tumefanya hivi, hata pia tumefanya hivi, hata pia tuna vitu mingi tumefanya,” Natembeya said.
The two accounts leave the central disagreement focused on the expected role of the master of ceremonies, the speaking order and the established format of Linda Mwananchi rallies.
The dispute comes amid wider disagreements within the movement over its political organisation and the party vehicle to be used ahead of the 2027 General Election. Recent reports have documented differences between Babu and other Linda Mwananchi leaders over whether the movement should use the Mwananchi Party or Ukombozi People’s Party.
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