Western region MPs rally behind Wetang'ula as Ruto's preferred successor

Speaker Moses Wetangula addresses a crowd. [Courtesy]

A section of Members of Parliament MPs from the Western region has rallied behind National Assembly Speaker and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula, declaring him the region's preferred candidate to succeed President William Ruto after the end of his constitutional tenure.

The legislators said the Western region, which has for decades supported other leaders' presidential ambitions, should now unite behind one of its own, arguing that Wetangula's vast political experience and national stature make him best placed to lead the country in the future.

Speaking at Mabanga Agricultural Centre (ATC) on Monday during a meeting of Ford Kenya women supporters from the nine Constituencies in Bungoma, Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi said that Wetang’ula is experienced enough to lead as the head of state after President William Ruto’s tenure.

“The only person we have in this region whom we are looking at nationally is none other than Moses Wetang’ula; let’s support and grow him to replace President Ruto,” Kapondi stated.

Kapondi further rallied Western region residents to back President William Ruto’s re- election in the next year's general elections, affirming that for Mt Elgon the deal is done and dusted.

The UDA lawmaker asked Wetang’ula to focus on national campaigns and rallying other communities to back his bid when his time comes.

Western leaders dance at Mabanga Women Empowerment. [Courtesy]

“I want to ask our leader and Speaker Wetang’ula to focus on national campaigns and leave the grassroots for us in this region,” Kapondi added.

President Ruto’s 2027 re-election coordinator and Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka, who was present at the event, drummed up support for Ruto’s re-election, arguing that during the Kenya Kwanza administration, the Western region has received massive development.

He highlighted the establishment of the immigration office in Bungoma, the construction of an airstrip at Matulo in Webuye, and the planned construction of a level 6 hospital in Sichei as some of the developments that Ruto’s government has initiated in the Western region.

Speaker Wetangula addresses a women's forum in Mabanga. [Jackline Inyanji, Standard]

Tongaren MP and Ford Kenya Secretary General Dr John Chikati accused the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of inciting Kenyans, arguing that the DCP leader never helped during his tenure as the DP.

“We have had other Presidents from other regions but they never came or rather initiated development in our region; that is why we need to front and support our own,” Chikati stated.

Other lawmakers who were present included Kanduyi MP John Makali and his Webuye East counterpart Martin Wanyonyi, who rallied behind the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to succeed William Ruto.

MPs from Kakamega County are also rallying President Ruto to drop Prof Kithure Kindiki as his Deputy President and pick someone from the Western region to deputise him.

On his part, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the Kenya Kwanza administration had fulfilled key campaign promises through investments in agriculture, roads, healthcare and markets, warranting a second term for President Ruto.

However, Wetang'ula cited the reduction of subsidised fertiliser prices from Sh7, 500 to Sh2, 500 as one of the administration's major achievements, saying it had eased the cost of farming for thousands of households.

"We promised during our campaigns to reduce the price of fertiliser from Sh7, 500 to Sh2, 500 and the President has already fulfilled that promise," he said.

The Speaker also defended the government's decision to lease Nzoia Sugar Company, saying the move had revived operations and restored timely payments to farmers after years of financial distress.

He accused critics of the leasing process of using the sugar sector for political mileage instead of championing the interests of farmers.

"Those opposing the revival are not cane farmers. They are simply using the sugar industry as a political tool," he added.

Wetang'ula listed several ongoing and completed national government projects in Bungoma, including the passport application centre, the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, modern markets across the county and the planned Level Six Teaching and Referral Hospital.

He said the hospital, to be built within the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Sichei campus, would be financed through a Sh10 billion package comprising Sh8 billion from the African Development Bank and Sh2 billion from the national government.

He added that President Ruto is expected to commission the project in October.

The Speaker also said the government had allocated Sh7 billion in the current financial year to begin expansion of the Malaba-Webuye-Eldoret section of the Northern Corridor highway, describing it as a critical project aimed at reducing accidents and improving regional trade.

He further announced that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension would pass through western Kenya to Malaba, with Myanga designated as Bungoma County's station.

The Speaker further credited President Ruto for prioritising Bungoma through frequent development tours.

"Since assuming office, President Ruto has visited Bungoma more than six times. He comes here to launch development projects, not for politics," he said.

Wetang'ula urged the women to champion President Ruto's re-election, arguing that previous presidents had all served two terms or more and that the current Head of State deserved similar support.

"We have had presidents who served 10 years, 15 years and even 24 years. Why should President William Ruto, who is transforming the country, be denied a second term?" he posed.

He declared that the women of Bungoma had resolved to support President Ruto's re-election, describing the decision as the "Mabanga Declaration."

"The train has already left the station. The mothers of Bungoma are on board, and we want President Ruto to secure a second term," he said.