The Western Kenya presidential campaign lobby has launched grassroots mobilisation efforts to consolidate support for President William Ruto ahead of next year’s general election.
The team, led by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka as regional coordinator, met on Friday with 1,840 polling station committee delegates drawn from 92 polling stations in Lugari constituency. Similar meetings are expected across the region in the coming weeks.
“We have started here in Lugari and will roll out consultative public engagement forums aimed at strengthening and restructuring party grassroots networks in preparation for the 2027 general election,” Lusaka said.
He said Ruto has mandated the team to conduct 10 meetings across Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia counties in the first phase of the campaign.
Lusaka said backing Ruto’s re-election would position the Western region to ascend to power in 2032.
“We will only wait for five years before taking power if we support Ruto’s re-election. Supporting the opposition will keep us waiting for 10 years,” he said.
Lobby deputy coordinator and Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula said the engagements are intended to strengthen party unity, mobilisation and development-orientated leadership.
Savula said the Western region was comfortable with Ruto’s administration due to its proximity to power and ongoing development projects under the Kenya Kwanza government.
“We are simply investing in a government that will bring development to our people,” he said.
He accused opposition MPs of attempting to destabilise Ruto’s administration in the hope that he would serve only one term.
Savula also dismissed claims the emergence of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna would weaken Ruto’s support in the region.
He urged leaders to embrace political tolerance, national cohesion and issue-based campaigns to avoid further polarisation of the country.
Savula further urged senior Luhya leaders to unite and position the region for the presidency in 2032, warning they should pave the way for younger leaders if they fail to seize the opportunity.
Among the leaders present at the meeting, held at Savula’s Manyonyi home, were nominated Senator Connie Wakwabubi, Hamisi MP Charles Gimose and climate change ambassador Naomi Nakhumicha.
At the same time, Savula urged President Ruto to suspend some capital-intensive projects and redirect the funds towards fuel subsidies to cushion Kenyans from rising fuel prices.
“These projects can resume once the global oil crisis stabilises,” he said.
Gimose accused leaders from the Mt Kenya region of pushing for a one-term presidency for Ruto despite the region having produced presidents for a cumulative 34 years since independence.
“Kenyans must not fall prey to schemes by Mt Kenya leaders to return to power,” he said.
