NAIROBI, Kenya – National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged aspiring presidential candidates to gain political experience before seeking the country’s top office, while calling on residents of Vihiga County to support President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking during a women’s empowerment drive in Hamisi Constituency, Wetang’ula cited Kenya’s past presidents as examples of leaders who accumulated political experience before becoming Head of State.
He named Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto, arguing that their political journeys offered lessons for first-time Members of Parliament considering presidential ambitions.
The remarks come as political leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, with debate growing over leadership experience, development promises and the competition to mobilise voters.
Wetang’ula highlights Ruto’s development pledges
The Speaker also outlined infrastructure projects he said could benefit Vihiga and neighbouring counties, including the planned expansion of the Eldoret–Kapsabet–Chavakali road, extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) towards Busia through Vihiga, construction of Kidundu Stadium and improvements to roads and markets.
The proposed road expansion has featured in recent government development announcements. During a tour of Nandi County on October 18, Ruto pledged to upgrade the Eldoret–Kapsabet–Chavakali corridor into a four-lane highway.
Kidundu Stadium is also part of the government’s planned sports infrastructure programme. Vihiga County officials said in February that preparations included securing the 20 acres required for the proposed 10,000-seat facility, alongside compensation and relocation arrangements for affected landowners.
Wetang’ula urged residents to support Ruto’s re-election campaign, linking the proposed projects to development prospects in the region.
Speaker raises concern over voter registration
Wetang’ula also called on political leaders to mobilise eligible residents to register as voters, saying approximately 250,000 Vihiga residents who possess national identity cards had not registered.
The figure could not be independently confirmed from the available published electoral data.
In March 2026, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission launched a registration drive in Vihiga targeting 35,354 new voters over 30 days. By the launch, the county had recorded 5,000 registrations under the ongoing exercise.
The difference in the figures makes it important to establish whether Wetang’ula was referring to all eligible but unregistered residents, a particular category of ID holders or a broader estimate.
Voter registration is expected to remain a major focus as parties and political leaders prepare for the 2027 election, with leaders in Western Kenya seeking to increase the region’s participation in the national vote.
Calls for tolerance during campaigns
Wetang’ula also urged politicians to maintain peaceful relations during the campaign period, citing the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ability to reconcile with political rivals.
He said political competition should not undermine national unity or peaceful coexistence, calling on leaders to draw lessons from Kenya’s political history.
His remarks combined an appeal for experienced presidential leadership with a push for development and voter mobilisation in Vihiga, as political activity gathers momentum ahead of the next General Election.
