The lobby’s chairman, Geoffrey Nasiali, said the movement would engage voters at the grassroots rather than hold large public rallies as it seeks to build support for Ruto.
“The movement is not going to hold rallies but engage voters in town-hall-like meetings at the grassroots. We have already worked out our programme, which will be launched by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi soon,” Nasiali said.
The movement was launched by Mudavadi at Kakamega School on August 15.
Nasiali said the lobby would focus on explaining Ruto’s development initiatives in Western Kenya over the past four years to enable voters to make informed decisions at the ballot.
“We want to help our people to differentiate facts from the lies, misinformation and disinformation being peddled by the opposition. President Ruto has done a lot for this region but people don’t know, a situation the opposition is exploiting,” he said.
The lobby is part of efforts to counter the rising influence of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi movement in the region, and to mobilise votes for Ruto’s re-election.
While launching the movement, Mudavadi described it as a long-term lobby group that would champion the interests of Western beyond electoral politics.
“This is a very powerful movement we are setting up as a network and as a strategy. This will not just be a political vehicle for 2027, but a lobby group to champion the welfare and destiny of our people and region,” Mudavadi said.
He said the movement would also provide the political structure needed to strengthen the region’s influence.
“You cannot win the presidency without a party, a structure and a network. Under the Magharibi Movement, we want to walk together to help increase the winning margin for President Ruto. We are thinking beyond 2027 and crafting a new vehicle that will speak for the people of our region,” Mudavadi said.
Nasiali said the movement would seek to unite the region behind Ruto’s re-election while preparing for his succession in 2032.
“We’re not going to engage in confrontational campaigns. Our duty is to mobilise votes for Ruto. The opposition are free to do their things, and then we allow voters to decide based on their understanding of the candidates and political formations,” he said.
