Nairobi: A section of Members of Parliament from Western Kenya have declared their support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid, but also demanded that the position of the Deputy President be reserved for the region during the 2027 general elections. The MPs, led by the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, made the declaration after a daylong meeting held at a Kisumu hotel on Monday.
According to Kenya News Agency, Member of Parliament for Budalangi, Raphael Wanjala, reading a joint press statement on behalf of the legislators, stated that the MPs had unanimously agreed to work as a united bloc to campaign for the re-election of President Ruto. “As the Western community, we demand the Number Two Seat to deputize President William Samoei Ruto in the next General Election,” Wanjala stated. He emphasized that the MPs would continue championing issues affecting residents of Western Kenya and called for greater consideration of the region in the next administration.
On the development front, the legislators called on the Government to ensure the completion of all stalled projects in the region, saying this would help address some of the challenges facing residents. The MPs, who also hail from the sugar belt, urged the Government’s intervention in the sugar sector and expressed their opposition to the Crops Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. This National Assembly Bill, introduced by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, seeks to amend laws affecting the agriculture sector, including the Sugar Act, which has significant implications for the region’s sugar industry.
The proposed Bill aims to centralize agricultural lending under the Kenya Agribusiness Development Corporation (KADCO) Ltd, affecting several agencies including the Kenya Sugar Board. This has raised concerns about the future role of the Kenya Sugar Board in providing support to the sector. Wanjala stated that the MPs had rejected the Bill, calling for stronger Government intervention to address the challenges facing the sugar industry, including support for farmers.
While commending President Ruto for addressing taxation issues affecting hawkers, Wanjala urged the Government to extend similar consideration to other workers affected by taxation. Regarding education, the legislators highlighted a funding crisis in public universities, affecting students from poor families, and appealed for coordinated voter registration and mobilization campaigns in the region.
The MPs also called on the Ministry of Energy to expand electricity coverage and address power outages in Western Kenya to spur development. They framed their support for President Ruto as part of a broader strategy for greater political influence, with aspirations to produce the country’s next President from the region by 2032.
MP for Sirisia, John Waluke, and Chairman of the Western Kenya MPs’ Caucus, reiterated the unity of the Mulembe community, which encompasses the 38 constituencies represented at the meeting. However, this political team faces competition from a group of youthful politicians led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Watenya Sifuna and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who also enjoy significant support in the region as President Ruto seeks re-election in 2027.
