KAKAMEGA, Kenya — Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged Western Kenya to look beyond the 2027 General Election and develop a long-term political strategy aimed at safeguarding the region’s interests and positioning it for the presidency after President William Ruto’s second term.
Mudavadi said the region should increase voter registration and support Ruto’s re-election in 2027 while simultaneously developing a political and development agenda that extends beyond the five-year election cycle.
Speaking at Kakamega High School during the launch of the Magharibi Movement Lobby Group, Mudavadi said Western Kenya must use its population numbers strategically to strengthen its influence in national politics.
“We should look at our numbers and register more voters to ensure we give President Ruto a petition-free 2nd term. Our agenda should span beyond 2027, strategically positioning ourselves and begin thinking of how to transform the lives of our people. We must now stop depending on the five-year election cycle trends,” Mudavadi said.
He said the region should begin a broader conversation on political continuity and posterity, arguing that long-term planning would help protect development projects and prepare Western Kenya for future political contests.
“Our agenda should focus on having a plan as a community and as a region. We begin a conversation about continuity and posterity. We plan about the continuity of projects that are important for our region, the way other regions are planning ahead,” he said.
Mudavadi argued that maintaining a working relationship with the national government would be important for ensuring the completion of infrastructure and economic programmes in Western Kenya.
He cited Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga and Bungoma, saying the four counties had historically received inadequate attention in infrastructure development, particularly road construction.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary pointed to the ongoing expansion of the Rironi–Mau Summit road as an example of an infrastructure project he said could transform the region’s economic prospects by improving its connection to Nairobi and the wider East African market through the Malaba border and Uganda.
Mudavadi criticised previous government officials who, he said, had questioned the economic viability of the road project.
“Some senior officials used to tell the Presidents during the previous regimes that this road is not economically viable. We need to wake up and understand that these leaders didn’t mean well for our people,” he said.
He said the Ruto administration was now pursuing the expansion to improve connectivity, reduce travel time and lower the cost of transporting people and goods between Western Kenya, Nairobi and other parts of the region.
“This and other projects that are being implemented under President Ruto’s administration are the key reason why under the broad-based arrangement we have to support his re-election. Two-term without a petition should be our walk and talk,” Mudavadi said.
Magharibi Movement targets Western Kenya
Mudavadi described the Magharibi Movement as more than a campaign vehicle for the 2027 election, saying it would serve as a platform for mobilising communities and advancing the region’s long-term interests.
“This is a very powerful movement we are setting up as a network and as a strategy. This will not just be a political vehicle for 2027 but a lobby group to champion for the welfare and destiny of our people and region,” he said.
He argued that presidential ambitions require a strong political party, organisational structure and grassroots network, saying the movement would seek to build such a foundation while supporting Ruto’s 2027 campaign.
“You cannot win the presidency without a party, a structure and a network. Under the Magharibi Movement we want to walk together to help increase the winning margin for President Ruto. We are thinking beyond 2027 and crafting a new vehicle that will speak for the people of our region,” Mudavadi said.
The meeting brought together more than 2,000 representatives of the movement from across Kakamega County’s 12 constituencies, including Butere, Ikolomani, Khwisero, Likuyani, Lugari, Lurambi, Malava, Matungu, Mumias East, Mumias West, Navakholo and Shinyalu.
Leaders attending the launch backed Mudavadi’s call for greater political coordination across Western Kenya.
Former nominated MCA Douglas Beru said the region needed to learn from previous political experiences and follow a coordinated political strategy.
Malava MP David Ndakwa said the movement should help unite Western Kenya while mobilising support for Ruto’s re-election and preparing the region for the 2032 presidential contest.
“This is a journey to unite this region and begin a conversation towards supporting President Ruto, his administration, his re-election and thinking beyond 2027 for the purposes of making sure our people benefit fully even as we eye the 2032 presidency,” Ndakwa said.
Former Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali called on Mudavadi to convene leaders from across the region to agree on a common political direction.
“We as leaders should first unite and show our people the right direction. I am calling on Musalia Mudavadi to take lead and call all the leaders from this region, we sit down and agree on where we want to take our people,” Washiali said.
The push comes as political actors across Kenya intensify preparations for the 2027 General Election, with competing formations seeking to consolidate regional voting blocs and position themselves for the post-2027 political realignment.
