Kaluma made the remarks through a statement on his social media pages. The legislator was responding to comments made earlier by George Natembeya, the governor of Trans Nzoia County.
Natembeya had been asked whether he would support Gachagua if courts cleared the former deputy president to run for the country’s top seat. The governor maintained he would not back such a bid under any circumstances.
According to Natembeya, Kenya’s presidency should rotate among different regions to ensure fairness and national balance. He argued that the Mt Kenya region has already produced several presidents and should allow other communities an opportunity.
“Aaaa, mhhh, no, no. No, because I believe the presidency should rotate,” Natembeya said. He added that the Mt Kenya region has enjoyed about four decades of leadership at the national level.
The governor argued that communities from Western Kenya and other parts of the country deserve a chance to lead the nation. He insisted that regional balance would strengthen national unity and address long-standing political grievances.
Natembeya also dismissed the idea that communities benefit differently depending on whether they produce a president. He noted that ordinary citizens across regions still face similar economic and social challenges regardless of who occupies State House.
“Look at people in Kikendu in Murang’a and those in Kabuchai. There is really no difference in their lives,” Natembeya said, suggesting that development disparities remain largely unchanged despite past leadership from the Mt Kenya region.
The governor further addressed the broader opposition landscape, including the role of Kalonzo Musyoka. Natembeya indicated that while he has presidential ambitions, he would reconsider them if the opposition unites behind Kalonzo.
He said that should opposition leaders settle on Kalonzo as their presidential candidate, he would be ready to shelve his own bid and support the Wiper leader in the spirit of unity ahead of the election.