Allies of President William Ruto in the broad-based government are intensifying efforts to persuade Western Kenya to back his re-election campaign in 2027. They are urging the region to abandon calls to field one of its own for the presidency and instead strategically position itself for the top office in 2032.
Led by President Ruto’s personal assistant, Farouk Kibet, the allies argued that Western Kenya’s best path to securing the presidency is to support Ruto for his second and final term, thereby paving the way for the region to assume national leadership after 2032.
Kibet underscored that presidential aspirations necessitate the formation of robust political alliances, asserting that success cannot be achieved merely by declaring a candidate without first building the necessary support and relationships.
“Mtu hawezi kuamka leo aseme anataka kuwa Rais kesho. Lazima utafute marafiki. Ndio tunasema, sisi tuungane. Baada ya William Ruto, uongozi uje magharibi mwa Kenya,” Kibet stated.
He encouraged Western Kenya to collaborate with communities that reject ethnic politics and embrace a broader national coalition, arguing that such an approach would establish a stronger foundation for the region’s future presidential ambitions.
The remarks come amidst increasing efforts to mobilise support for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna of Linda Mwananchi as a potential presidential contender in 2027. However, Ruto’s allies have dismissed the notion of supporting a Western Kenya candidate simply for the sake of having one on the ballot.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot challenged the region to objectively assess whether its candidate would command sufficient support to win, rather than celebrating the symbolic act of presenting a presidential candidate.
“Hakuna rekodi umevunja. Ya muhimu ni ujiulize ukisimama, utapata ama namna gani?” Cheruiyot said, questioning the value of fielding a candidate who might secure only a few parliamentary seats before engaging in political negotiations with the eventual winner.
The Kericho Senator instead urged Western Kenya leaders to collaborate with the government, asserting that cooperation with the current administration would strengthen both development and political influence.
Cheruiyot also dismissed the prospect of defeating Ruto in 2027, drawing a parallel with former President the late Mwai Kibaki’s experience.
“Kama Mwai Kibaki, alikuwa amezeeka, watu wakajaribu kuvuruta hiyo kiti kutoka kwake term ya kwanza, na hawakutoboa, sasa huyu Ruto mwenye halali, hafungi macho, wataweza kweli? Hiyo ni ndoto ya mchana,” he said.
South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro reiterated this message, insisting that Ruto would not be Kenya’s first one-term president.
“Western Kenya, mimi nimekuja kuwaambia, hakuna Rais Kenya anaenda term moja. Sahau, sahau, sahau. Hakuna. Haiwezekani,” Osoro declared.
He called upon residents to support the current administration, arguing that its performance warranted a return to power.
Butere MP Tindi Mwale further advanced this political argument, portraying Ruto as Western Kenya’s political neighbour and urging residents to support him before pursuing the presidency themselves.
Mwale said attempts to persuade the Luhya community to field a presidential candidate in 2027 amounted to misleading the region.
“Uongozi ukiwa kwa jirani, unasaidia jirani amalize na yeye akupatie uongozi,” he said, arguing that Western Kenya should support Ruto in 2027 before reorganising for a presidential bid in 2032.
