Old guards face rebellion as Western Kenya rethinks its future

President William Ruto of UDA and Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga of ODM sign an agreement to work together at KICC. [Photo/ Emmanuel Wanson]

President William Ruto of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga are walking a political tightrope in Western Kenya, as a wave of fresh parties and shifting alliances threatens to upend their once-solid grip on the region.

With the 2027 general election looming, the ground is shifting beneath their feet. New political actors, emboldened by growing calls for regional autonomy, are mounting a spirited challenge—determined to redefine Western Kenya’s place on the national stage and break free from the shadow of the two dominant political titans.