Natembeya has maintained that Sifuna will seek the presidency through the Ukombozi party, a position that directly clashes with Babu’s insistence that his own party was the pick for the movement’s 2027 plans.
The governor’s position has emerged as a key sticking point as efforts intensify to contain the widening rifts within Linda Mwananchi.
Babu had pointed to an earlier understanding on the use of his party before Ukombozi was brought into the equation, leaving the choice of political vehicle at the heart of the dispute.
The youthful lawmaker has also stuck to his guns, insisting it is either his party or the movement transform into a coalition to accommodate everyone's interest.
“Along the way, one principal joined us and came with Ukombozi political party. I called Sifuna, we met at his office and asked him about Ukombozi People’s Party. After that there has been a little push and pull,” Babu said.
Natembeya responded to Babu’s remarks insisting that Ukombozi would remain the movement’s 2027 vehicle.
“Ukombozi People’s Party and Sifuna will be the ones saving this country,” Natembeya said shortly after Babu addressed journalists.
The Ukombozi People’s Party is the rebranded United Democratic Party, which was initially associated with former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.
Natembeya appears unwilling to reopen the question, repeatedly presenting Ukombozi as the platform through which Sifuna will pursue his presidential ambitions.
The governor, in a viral video, told the Luhya community to stop apologising for seeking to organise itself politically, widening the existing divisions.
He argued that other communities were doing the same without attracting similar condemnation.
“We are also building our house which we will use in the negotiation table with other people, please do not feel guilty if we mobilise as a community because others are also mobilising as their communities,” Natembeya said.
“If you go to Rift Valley there is Ruto, if you go to Central there is Rigathi, in Nyanza you will get Orengo, Oburu and Babu, Kisii there is Matiang’i, Ukambani there is Kalonzo.”
The governor urged the community to use its numbers to negotiate with other communities from a position of strength rather than enter political alliances as a fragmented bloc.
“Only When Luhya said we come together they are shouting tribalism, let them call us tribalists but let us use our numbers in the table where Kenya’s issues are decided,” Natembeya said.
The remarks come amid growing tensions within Linda Mwananchi over the movement’s political vehicle.
According to Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Babu has either panicked or overreacted.
“I followed this issue because I'm obviously interested in Linda Mwanaichi and I think Babu is either overreacting to social media or he has panicked because the import of that social media discourse is that his ambition is under threat,” Khalwale told the Star.
“So, we are dealing with a leader who has either panicked or is overreacting to that. Whether what we are seeing will affect the popularity of Linda Mwananchi, I will say that only time can tell.”
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has however downplayed reported differences between Sifuna and Babu, saying the two leaders do not have a personal fight.
Onyonka said the perceived differences were being amplified by their supporters as senior politicians work to bring the two sides together.
“We will try and work on Babu. We will try and work on his relationship with Sifuna. They don't have a fight per say. You have their people making noise; it is their people. We are working on it, and once everybody comes on board and we sit together, all shall be okay,” Onyonka told Radio Generation.
