Western leaders demand DP slot in 2027 plan

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, January 16, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

A fresh political battle is looming within President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election camp after leaders from Western Kenya formally demanded the Deputy President position in what is expected to reshape coalition negotiations and political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The leaders, who attended a high-level consultative meeting held at Lake Naivasha Resort in Nakuru County on Sunday, resolved that the vote-rich Western region deserves the second-highest office in the land owing to its growing political support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The meeting was attended by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa, Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka, Vihiga governor Wilberforce Otichillo and more than 28 other elected leaders.

The declaration now places Western Kenya at the centre of succession calculations within President Ruto’s broad-based government and is likely to ignite rivalry with other political blocs eyeing the same position.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who hails from the Mt Kenya region, is also viewed as a frontrunner for the slot, with a section of leaders from his backyard insisting the position should remain in the region.

Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga has also increasingly been linked to possible negotiations under the broad-based political arrangement.

The Western leaders’ move comes at a time when the region is experiencing intense political activity and internal rivalry among leaders positioning themselves as the community’s kingpins ahead of 2027.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Wetang’ula have for years projected themselves as the de facto Luhya political leaders.

However, they have recently faced mounting resistance from Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya, who has accused the duo of advancing personal political interests at the expense of the region.

Adding to the shifting political dynamics is Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna, whose growing influence among younger voters in Western Kenya has complicated the traditional political order.

Natembeya and Sifuna, who are associated with the emerging Linda Mwananchi movement, have been traversing the region, holding consultative meetings aimed at redefining Western Kenya’s political direction and mobilising support against President Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reading a joint statement after the meeting, Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, who serves as secretary of the Western Kenya Parliamentary Caucus, said leaders from the region had resolved to unite and speak with one voice in pursuit of greater political bargaining power.

“We demand the running mate position for President Ruto in the 2027 election because we have the requisite numbers, leadership and capability for that office,” said Nabwera, adding, “The diversity of our community is our strength and we pledge to set aside political differences in the interest of the greater good of our people.”

The leaders also reaffirmed their support for President Ruto’s re-election bid, arguing that the region has benefitted from increased engagement and resource allocation under the current administration.

“We believe continuity of leadership is essential in safeguarding the gains already made and unlocking the full potential of our region,” Nabwera added.

Notably absent from the meeting was Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi, a development likely to fuel speculation over internal political calculations within the Western Kenya leadership matrix.