Politicians allied to the broad-based government have endorsed National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s bid to succeed President William Ruto in 2032, urging Western Kenya residents to back the President’s re-election as a stepping stone to the Speaker’s presidential ambitions.
The leaders, led by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, said Wetang’ula’s support for Ruto in the 2022 General Election and his expected role in the 2027 campaigns should earn him backing when the President completes his tenure.
They expressed confidence that Ruto would reciprocate by supporting Wetang’ula’s presidential ambitions in 2032.
The endorsement was made during a political rally in Bungoma County attended by MPs Tindi Mwale (Butere), Emmanuel Wangwe (Nabakholo), Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), Martin Pepela (Webuye East), David Ndakwa (Malava) and Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga.
Cheruiyot, who is also the Kericho senator, said Wetang’ula had earned respect among the Kalenjin community through his contribution to Ruto’s election and his continued support for the President.
“Wetang’ula commands immense respect among the Kalenjin community for his role in ensuring that President Ruto won the last election and his tireless campaigns for his second-term bid,” Cheruiyot said.
“At the end of President Ruto’s tenure in office, we will ensure that our community rallies behind him as a payback for his unrelenting support to the President.”
Mwale said Western Kenya leaders had resolved to support Wetang’ula’s succession bid, citing his political experience and networks.
“As leaders from Western, we have decided to rally our arsenal towards President Ruto’s bid for a second term. We will do the same for Wetang’ula to take over from him upon his retirement,” he said.
Mugabe described Wetang’ula as the Luhya community’s choice for the presidency in 2032.
President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet also pledged support for the Speaker, saying he had demonstrated understanding of the country and its governance.
“Wetang’ula has stood with President Ruto during the last general elections and while in office. I want to assure the Luhya community that we will not abandon him when the right time comes,” Kibet said.
Wetang’ula thanked the leaders for their confidence in him, saying he was committed to helping the Luhya community realise its long-standing ambition of producing a President.
“I am determined to ensure the Luhya community realises the dream of the late former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa of delivering the presidency. The support by the leaders today is well received, and I will not let them down,” he said.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, Mwale, Wangwe, Ndakwa, Pepela and Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli also rallied Western Kenya behind Ruto’s re-election, citing ongoing development projects and the revival of the sugar industry.
Lusaka said the revival of the sugar industry had boosted the regional economy and improved the livelihoods of farmers who depend on the crop.
Wetang’ula cited several infrastructure commitments, saying Sh7 billion had been factored into the budget to expand the Malaba-Eldoret Highway into a dual carriageway and connect it to the ongoing Rironi-Mau Summit-Eldoret highway project.
He also said Sh2.5 billion had been allocated to the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project in Bungoma to connect more households to the national grid.
The Speaker added that the planned extension of the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba would include a station at Myanga town, alongside a modern market expected to boost trade, create jobs and stimulate urban growth.
He urged Bungoma residents and the wider Luhya community to support Ruto’s re-election, arguing that political unity would help advance the region’s development agenda and its ambition to produce a future president.
