Growing disquiet in Western region as Uhuru, Raila allies join Cabinet

Prime Cabinet Minister Musalia Mudavadi during the 45th Maragoli cultural festival at Mbale Municipal grounds on December 26, 2024. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard] Western Kenya, a key battleground in the 2022 General Election, is now on tenterhooks. The vote-rich region is arguably a casualty of recent political deals between President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga. During the 2022 election campaigns, Ruto promised the Western region lucrative deals, including at least 30 per cent of government positions, in a bid to secure its 2.2 million voters. In a pre-election agreement, Ruto committed to giving Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula a 30 per cent share of government, including key roles such as Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, ambassadors, High Commissioners, and State corporation chairpersons. In addition to government jobs, the region was promised at least 1,000 kilometers of bitumen-standard roads and other infrastructure projects if Ruto won the election. However, after Ruto's victory, the region received less than promised. While Mudavadi was appointed Prime Cabinet Secretary and Wetang'ula became Speaker of the National Assembly, other promises, including the road projects, seem to have been forgotten. Recent Cabinet reshuffles, which saw the inclusion of Raila and Uhuru allies, has elicited mixed reactions in the region, with some leaders expressing disappointment. In July, the President appointed ODM figures to the Cabinet, just days after dropping Ababu Namwamba (Sports and Youth Affairs) and Susan Nakhumicha (Health) from their positions. ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya was among those nominated, alongside former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, and Nominated MP John Mbadi. Oparanya's appointment was seen as a potential relief for the region, which had felt shortchanged after the removal of Namwamba and Nakhumicha. Some local leaders, including DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, have accused the President of reneging on his promises to Western Kenya. Former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Cleophas Malala and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya have also criticised the Ruto administration's approach to the region. These leaders have questioned the ability of Mudavadi and Wetang'ula to ensure that Western Kenya gets its fair share of government resources. Currently, only three Cabinet Secretaries from Western Kenya serve in President Ruto's administration: Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs), Deborah Barasa (Health), and Mudavadi (Foreign Affairs). Political analyst Barrack Muluka blames the region's leaders serving in government for its current woes. "They have let down the people by prioritizing their own interests over those they represent," Muluka told The Standard. According to Muluka, Western Kenya must reorganize itself ahead of the 2027 election, closely observing the ongoing political realignments. "The region must make informed decisions on whom to work with going forward," Muluka added. Margaret Atieno, from Busia, expressed disappointment at the lack of further appointments from the region. "Taking away Cabinet positions from the region sends the wrong signals to the people who expected more from the President," she said. Mudavadi's decision to dissolve his Amani National Congress (ANC) party and join Ruto's UDA has sparked concerns among ANC supporters. Political analysts suggest that Mudavadi may regret this move, as Ruto appears more focused on forging alliances with Raila and Uhuru. Last week, ANC supporters and officials in Kakamega County protested plans to dissolve the party, fearing they would be left vulnerable to other political forces. Tony Maleche (Chairman), Jeff Mwenye, and Patrick Abguba expressed opposition to the dissolution of ANC, urging Mudavadi to prioritize securing appointments in government for his supporters. "Why are opposition leaders being appointed to key government positions while we watch?" wondered Mwenye. Some leaders from the region fear that the current political trajectory could push Western Kenya further into political cold despite its numerical strength. Statistics from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) shows that in 2022, Kakamega County alone had 841,139 registered voters followed by Bungoma (644,233), Busia (406,569) and Vihiga (304,765). Trans Nzoia, a cosmopolitan area with a high Luhya population had 395,741 voters. Cumulatively, Ruto garnered 229,409 votes in Bungoma County, representing 63.15 per cent of the ballots cast while Raila got a paltry 13,478 votes, representing 35.92 per cent of total votes. Former Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, a close ally of President Ruto, holds a different view. He believes the President will fulfill his pre-election promises to the region. "It's not too late for the President to act on his pledges to the region," Washiali said. He dismissed claims that President Ruto, facing rising criticism and diminishing support in Western and other regions, was focusing more on his 2027 re-election bid. "While it's true that Western played a significant role in Ruto's victory, appointments alone are not enough. The region needs development projects, not just government positions. I know the President will deliver for the region," Washiali added. He also suggested that President Ruto's alliances with Mt. Kenya and Nyanza leaders may be driven by their ability to make "informed decisions" during elections, unlike parts of Western Kenya, where support for Raila was stronger. "Apart from Bungoma, which overwhelmingly supported the President, counties like Busia and Kakamega remained loyal to Raila. Bungoma has benefited greatly from appointments and development projects as a result," Washiali said. "We must learn from what happened in 2022 and be better prepared to make informed decisions in future elections," he emphasized. Washiali, who was nominated as a Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), saw his hopes dashed when the positions were declared unconstitutional by the courts. "I'm satisfied with what I have, but I know the President won't abandon Western Kenya because he'll need the region in 2027," Washiali added. Future leaders UDA national youth official Desmond Shinaka also pointed out that the government is implementing key projects across the country, including in Western Kenya. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has criticized Western Kenya's leaders serving in government for failing to influence appointments and development projects that benefit the local population. He also expressed concern over seasoned politicians' failure to groom future leaders. "In Central Kenya, they are grooming future leaders. There must be a strategy, and at the national level, you need to have someone from your own region," Amisi said. Amisi, who recently became the Chairman of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), emphasized that seasoned politicians from Western Kenya have not performed up to expectations. Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale supported a broad-based government but urged Raila to avoid sending mixed signals about his stance on the Ruto administration. On December 2, Khalwale accused Raila for confusing Western Kenya by sending mixed messages, urging him to clarify his position. "It bothers me that while in Nyanza your message with the masses in unison is that you are unequivocally behind President William Ruto, however, when you come to Western, as was the case at a thanksgiving party for Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, you sent mixed signals. You are confusing our people, please stop this," said Khalwale on December 2. Butere Sub-County UDA Party Chairman Habil Bushuru questioned why President Ruto would prioritize working with those who opposed him during the election. "We are not against the President's efforts to unite the country, but it is unrealistic to appoint ODM members to key positions while sidelining UDA supporters and those who supported Ruto during the campaigns. It was not easy for Ruto and UDA to secure the votes they did in Western," Bushuru said. He added: "The President must focus on consolidating his support in Western Kenya, as 2027 is fast approaching." Bushuru is concerned that escalating political tensions could undermine President Ruto's efforts to solidify support in the region.

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