Speaker Moses Wetang'ula/HANDOUT
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Co-operatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya jointly appealed to the Luhya community to unite behind President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027, framing it as a historic chance to secure the region’s place in national leadership.
Speaking during a meeting with local residents in Lurambi Constituency in Kakamega alongside several MPs, Wetang’ula described the 2027 General Election as a “watershed moment” for Western Kenya.
He said a united voting bloc from the Mulembe Nation could shape the region’s political destiny and enhance the possibility of producing a president from the community in 2032.
“The 2027 General Election will be a defining moment for our community. Our unity and voting pattern will determine our political destiny in 2032. We must demonstrate political influence commensurate with our numbers and strength,” Wetang’ula told the gathering.
He invoked the legacy of past Western leaders such as the late Vice President Kijana Wamalwa and Masinde Muliro, saying their contributions should inspire current efforts to consolidate the region’s voice on the national stage.
Wetang’ula shared the platform with Oparanya — a former political rival — signalling a renewed partnership to galvanise Western Kenya behind President Ruto’s leadership.
“In 2002, Oparanya and I were elected on the same coalition before we politically parted ways. The broad-based government has brought us together once again, and our common agenda is to secure development for our people and position the community for future leadership,” Wetang’ula said.
The leaders highlighted President Ruto’s frequent visits to the Western region, the revival of stalled infrastructure projects, and the recent Sh500 million allocation for the completion of Kakamega Level Six Hospital as signs of the government’s goodwill.
They urged residents to leverage this momentum by presenting a unified front in the upcoming elections.
Several MPs and county leaders present echoed the call for unity, saying that a solid block vote for Ruto would strengthen Western Kenya’s bargaining power in national affairs and lay the groundwork for greater representation at the highest level of government in the future.
