Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and other Western Kenya leaders have intensified calls for President Ruto to pick Speaker Moses Wetang'ula as his 2027 running mate.
Pressure is mounting on President William Ruto to name National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula as his running mate in 2027, after a fresh round of endorsements from Western Kenya leaders over the weekend.
Barasa Declares Western Kenya's Choice
Speaking during a women empowerment programme in Lurambi Constituency on Saturday, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said the region has already settled on Wetang'ula as its preferred deputy presidential candidate for 2027, and its presidential flagbearer for 2032.
"As the people of Western Kenya, we have identified our own leader, and that leader is National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang'ula. He is equal to the task. We want our people to understand that after we re-elect President William Ruto in 2027, we expect the presidency to come to Western Kenya in 2032," Barasa said.
The governor linked the region's growing support for Ruto to development projects rolled out in Western Kenya, including roads, hospitals, markets and sports infrastructure, saying these gains had made campaigning for the President's re-election easier.
"If we achieve these targets, Western Kenya will deliver about four million votes to President Ruto in 2027," he said.
MPs Back the Push
The calls were echoed by several MPs from the region. Budalang'i MP Raphael Wanjala said leaders had agreed during consultations in Naivasha that Western Kenya should be considered for the deputy presidency in exchange for backing Ruto's second-term bid.
Lurambi MP Titus Khamala also publicly shifted his backing from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to Wetang'ula, saying he now believes the Speaker is best placed to lead the region's future presidential ambitions.
Where This Leaves Kindiki
The push comes despite Kithure Kindiki currently serving as Deputy President. Any move to sideline him from the 2027 ticket is expected to stir debate within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, as leaders continue positioning themselves ahead of next year's General Election.
Wetang'ula's Response
Reacting to the endorsements, Wetang'ula challenged Western Kenya residents to focus on voter registration instead, saying the region's political influence will ultimately come down to its numbers at the ballot.