National Assembly Speaker urges Western Kenya to unite behind the President, promising development and political relevance.

The drums of the 2027 General Election are already beating in Western Kenya, and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula is leading the rhythm. In a fiery address in Kakamega County, the Ford Kenya party leader has unequivocally thrown his weight behind President William Ruto, calling on the Luhya community to lock their votes in the Kenya Kwanza basket. His message was stark: political relevance is found at the table of power, not in the cold of the opposition.

Wetang’ula, a veteran of coalition politics, defended the President’s record against growing criticism, framing the current economic hardships as the necessary pains of a "reconstructive surgery" on the nation’s finances. He argued that the region has benefited immensely from government appointments and projects, citing Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s position as proof of Ruto’s goodwill.

The Unity Card

The Speaker’s rally was a strategic consolidation of the "Mulembe" vote. Historically fractured, the Luhya vote is a prize every presidential candidate covets. Wetang’ula is positioning himself as the gatekeeper, warning his community against the "gambling" of their political future on disjointed opposition outfits.

"We must be calculative," Wetang’ula told the cheering crowd in Lurambi. "We are in the cockpit of this government. Why would we want to walk out now?"

• Development vs. Politics: Wetang’ula linked the region’s development directly to its loyalty. He highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects as dividends of the 2022 pact, urging voters to protect these gains by re-electing Ruto.
• The Opposition Factor: With ODM signaling a fresh presidential bid, Wetang’ula is moving early to inoculate his backyard against the influence of the opposition, painting them as a ship without a compass.

The 2027 Calculus

This rally signals the start of the rigorous campaign period. For Wetang’ula, delivering the Western vote is not just about Ruto’s survival; it is about his own supremacy in the region.

As the political temperature rises, the Luhya nation once again finds itself the beautiful bride of Kenyan politics. But this time, Wetang’ula is determined to ensure the dowry is paid in full—to William Ruto.