KAKAMEGA, Kenya- A bloc of political leaders from Western Kenya has stepped up calls for President William Ruto to nominate National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula as his running mate in the 2027 General Election, arguing that the region’s growing political unity and voting strength warrant the position.
Led by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and more than 15 Members of Parliament, the leaders declared on Saturday that they had settled on Wetang’ula as Western Kenya’s preferred candidate for the deputy presidency in 2027 and its presidential flagbearer in 2032, should President Ruto win a second and final term.
Speaking during a women’s empowerment event in Lurambi Constituency, Governor Barasa said the region had resolved to back President Ruto’s re-election while laying the groundwork for Wetang’ula’s future presidential bid.
“We have identified our own leader, and that leader is National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula. He is equal to the task,” Barasa said.
“We shall support President William Ruto in 2027, and after he completes his constitutional two terms, we expect the presidency to come to Western Kenya through Moses Wetang’ula.”
Barasa said ongoing national government projects—including the completion of Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega Level Six Hospital, road infrastructure and electricity expansion—had strengthened support for President Ruto across the region.
He also announced an ambitious voter registration drive aimed at increasing Western Kenya’s political influence ahead of the next election.
The leaders are targeting 1.5 million registered voters 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,” Barasa said.
Lurambi MP Titus Khamala said he had shifted his political support from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to 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 agreed to support President Ruto’s second-term bid on the understanding that Western Kenya would be considered for the deputy presidency.
He said the position formed part of resolutions reached during consultations involving governors, senators and MPs in Naivasha.
Butula MP Joseph Oyula also urged President Ruto to name Wetang’ula as his running mate, arguing that the move would strengthen the President’s re-election campaign.
Responding to the endorsements, Wetang’ula urged residents to prioritise voter registration, saying political influence would ultimately depend on numbers at the ballot.
“The Bible teaches that leadership is determined through the ballot. We urge 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.
The Speaker also appealed to Western Kenya natives living in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa and other towns to register as voters, saying the region could command nearly six million votes if its diaspora population was fully mobilised.
“When we combine the projected voter numbers from our counties with those of our people living across the country, we can command about six million votes. Those are the numbers that will shape Kenya’s political direction in 2027,” he said.
At a separate church fundraiser in Teso South Constituency, several leaders echoed the calls.
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 funds 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 re-election as they positioned the region for a presidential bid in 2032.
Other leaders present included Bungoma Senator David Wakoli, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe, Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga and Nambale MP Geoffrey Mulanya.