Western Kenya Leaders Back Wetang'ula as Ruto's 2027 Running Mate

Leaders from Western Kenya have urged President William Ruto to choose National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula as his running mate in the 2027 General Election, saying the region has united behind his candidature.

Speaking at a women’s empowerment forum in Lurambi Constituency, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, accompanied by more than 15 Members of Parliament, said Western Kenya had agreed to support Wetang’ula for the deputy presidency in 2027 and as a future presidential candidate in 2032. He said the region’s unity and voting strength justified the request, citing ongoing government projects such as the completion of Bukhungu Stadium and Kakamega Level Six Hospital as signs of increasing support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Barasa also announced a voter registration campaign aimed at delivering four million votes to President Ruto in the next election. The campaign has set county targets across Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia. He said meeting those targets would strengthen Wetang’ula’s position ahead of the 2032 presidential race.

Other leaders expressed similar support. Lurambi MP Titus Khamala said he had shifted his political backing from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to Wetang’ula. Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala said consultations held in Naivasha had resulted in an agreement that Western Kenya should produce the country’s next Deputy President.

Wetang’ula urged residents to register as voters, saying political influence depends on voter numbers. He added that when Western Kenyans living in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa and other parts of the country are included, the region could account for as many as six million votes.

At the same time, Wetang’ula’s endorsement of Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha for the Trans Nzoia governorship in 2027 has created divisions within the Kenya Kwanza coalition. Several UDA aspirants, including Kakai Bisau and Chris Wamalwa, accused the Speaker of attempting to decide the party’s candidate before nominations.

Speaking at a thanksgiving ceremony for Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi, Bisau said selecting candidates without a competitive nomination process could weaken the coalition in a region where President Ruto continues to face strong opposition. Wamalwa, who recently left Ford Kenya to join UDA, said party members should be allowed to choose their preferred candidate through free and fair nominations.

Wetang’ula rejected claims that he was favouring Nakhumicha. 

He said she was simply the first person to declare interest in the seat under the Ford Kenya party and maintained that he would support whoever wins the party primaries.