By Courtesy/ Speaker’s Press Unit (SPU)

A section of political leaders from Western Kenya has intensified calls for President William Ruto to nominate National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula as his running mate in the 2027 General Election.

The said that the region’s growing political unity and voting strength justify the position.

The leaders, led by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and more than 15 Members of Parliament, said they had settled on Speaker Wetang’ula as the region’s preferred candidate for the deputy presidency in 2027 and as their preferred presidential candidate in 2032, should President Ruto secure a second and final term.

Speaking on Saturday during a women’s empowerment programme in Lurambi Constituency, Governor Barasa said Western Kenya had resolved to rally behind President Ruto’s re-election bid while simultaneously positioning Mr Wetang’ula as the region’s future presidential flag-bearer.

“As the people of Western Kenya, we have identified our own leader, and that leader is National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula. He is equal to the task.”

“We want our people to understand that after we re-elect President William Ruto in 2027, we expect the presidency to come to Western Kenya in 2032,” said Governor Barasa.

He added: “Once President Ruto completes his constitutional two terms, we shall support one of our own, Moses Wetang’ula, for the presidency.”

The governor argued that the region’s support for President Ruto had been strengthened by ongoing government development projects, including roads, markets, hospitals and sports infrastructure.

“In Kakamega County alone, the President is completing Bukhungu Stadium and the Kakamega Level 6 Hospital, while stalled road projects have resumed and electricity connectivity continues to expand. These projects have made it easier for us to popularise President Ruto’s re-election,” he said.

Governor Barasa further said leaders from the region had embarked on an aggressive voter registration campaign aimed at increasing Western Kenya’s political bargaining power ahead of the 2027 elections.

He announced voter registration targets of 1.5 million in Kakamega, 1.2 million in Bungoma, 600,000 in Busia, 500,000 in Vihiga and more than 600,000 in Trans Nzoia.

“If we achieve these targets, Western Kenya will deliver about four million votes to President Ruto in 2027,” he said.

Lurambi MP Titus Khamala said he had previously invested his political efforts in supporting Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s presidential ambitions but had now shifted his support to Mr Wetang’ula.

“I devoted my energy to supporting Musalia Mudavadi’s presidential bid, but that chapter is behind us. I now believe Moses Wetang’ula is the leader capable of delivering the presidency for our region,” he said.

Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala said leaders from the region had resolved to back President Ruto’s second-term bid on the understanding that Western Kenya would be considered for the deputy presidency.

He claimed that the position was among the resolutions reached during consultations involving governors, senators and MPs at a meeting in Naivasha.

Butula MP Joseph Oyula also urged President Ruto to settle on Mr Wetang’ula as his running mate, arguing that such a move would strengthen the President’s re-election prospects.

Responding to the endorsements, Speaker Wetang’ula challenged Western Kenya residents to increase voter registration, saying political influence would ultimately depend on the region’s numbers at the ballot box.

“The Bible teaches that leadership is determined through the ballot. We are urging all eligible Kenyans to acquire national identity cards and register as voters. The government has already made the process of obtaining IDs free,” he said.

He also encouraged Kenyans living in urban centres to register and vote, saying Western Kenya’s voting strength extends beyond the region itself.

“When we combine the projected voter numbers from our counties with those of our people living in Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa, we can command about six million votes. Those are the numbers that will shape the country’s political direction in 2027,” Mr Wetang’ula said.

Other leaders who attended the event included Vihiga Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe, Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga, Nambale MP Geoffrey Mulanya, Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala, Butula MP Joseph Oyula and Bungoma Senator David Wakoli.

Separately, at a church fundraiser in Teso South Constituency, several MPs reiterated their support for President Ruto’s re-election while expressing backing for Mr Wetang’ula’s political ambitions.

Vihiga Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala defended the Kenya Kwanza administration, citing the recruitment of more than 100,000 teachers over the past two financial years and the introduction of stipends for village elders.

Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Nyakundi said the government had allocated resources to recruit an additional 24,000 teachers in the next financial year, while Teso South MP Mary Emase said Western leaders were united behind President Ruto’s second-term bid as they prepared for the region’s 2032 presidential ambitions.

Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe echoed the calls, saying leaders from the region would campaign for both President Ruto and Speaker Wetang’ula ahead of the 2027 elections.