Where is Mudavadi as Wetang'ula rallies Western vote bloc for 2032?

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula addresses the gathering during his visit to the late IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati's residence in Kitale. [File, Standard]

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula is positioning himself as Western Kenya's presidential hopeful in the 2032 elections amid the absence of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

Wetang’ula has intensified tours across the region, accompanied by governors, senators and MPs who openly endorse him as the region’s preferred candidate to succeed President William Ruto in 2032, if he secures his second and last term next year.

The Speaker has recently traversed Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega and Vihiga counties, presiding over economic empowerment programmes organised by local leaders. 

During the events, he has been consistently urging the Luhya community to remain united, support Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid, and expand political alliances with other regions to enhance the community’s chances of producing Kenya’s sixth president in 2032.

Growing visibility

His growing visibility has contrasted sharply with the low profile maintained by Mudavadi, who dissolved his Amani National Congress (ANC) party and joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in March 2025.

Since the beginning of the year, Mudavadi has largely stayed away from regional political functions, appearing only during national events and presidential development tours.

The two leaders have for decades been regarded as the community’s political kingpins. 

However, their dominance is increasingly being challenged by a new generation of leaders led by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who have rallied supporters under the Linda Mwananchi movement, an ODM splinter outfit.

Natembeya has repeatedly vowed to dismantle the long-standing influence of Wetang’ula and Mudavadi, accusing them of failing to economically transform the region despite their years in national politics.

Even so, Wetang’ula appears to have gone back to the drawing board, recalibrating his political strategy as the region positions itself beyond the 2027 elections.

His recent meetings have attracted influential leaders from outside Western Kenya, including Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who have publicly backed his presidential ambitions.

Speaking during an empowerment programme in Khwisero on Friday, Kibet argued that the narrative that the Luhya community cannot produce a president should be discarded. "It is not cast in stone that the Luhya nation cannot produce a president. We want the presidency to move from Rift Valley after President Ruto to Western Kenya because we have leaders with the ability and capacity to lead the country."

He added that Wetang’ula possesses the qualities necessary to occupy the country's top office and urged him to continue working closely with Ruto.

The Western Region MPs' caucus, chaired by Sirisia's John Walukhe, has also thrown its weight behind the Speaker. During recent functions in Lugari and Navakholo constituencies, MPs Nabii Nabwera (Lugari) and Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) urged the community to rally behind Wetang’ula, saying he had demonstrated leadership credentials capable of steering the country.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and his Kakamega counterpart Fernandes Barasa have equally endorsed Wetang'ula's 2032 bid.

Wetang’ula, however, insists the region's quest for the presidency can only succeed through unity and strategic alliances.

"I have been in politics for a long time, and I know winning the presidency requires unity and external support. We have supported leaders from other regions before, and if we unite, we shall be able to seek support from the Rift Valley, Nyanza, Mt. Kenya, and the Coast when our turn comes," he said.

Cheruiyot echoed similar sentiments, saying Western Kenya has remained loyal to Ruto and deserves to inherit leadership after his tenure.

"When he finishes his second term, leadership should move to Western Kenya, and Wetang’ula has the experience and ability to lead," Cheruiyot said during a fundraising event in Hamisi constituency, Vihiga County.

Yet Wetang’ula’s growing stature is likely to trigger fresh rivalries within the region.

Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Mudavadi, both key players in the broad-based government, are also keen on maintaining their relevance ahead of the next election cycle.

Meanwhile, Natembeya and Sifuna have rejected calls to wait until 2032, insisting the region should pursue the presidency as early as 2027. The two have accused Wetang’ula and Mudavadi of prioritising personal political interests at the expense of the community’s economic development.

The succession debate has also been complicated by growing demands from Western leaders for the Deputy President's position. 

Two weeks ago, more than 30 elected leaders led by Wetang’ula and Oparanya resolved that the vote-rich region deserves the country's second-highest office because it supports the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The meeting brought together Barasa, Lusaka, and their Vihiga counterpart Wilberforce Otichillo, among other leaders.

Their push, however, has opened another front in national politics. Supporters of DP Kithure Kindiki insist the position should remain in Mt Kenya, while Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has also been linked to possible negotiations within the broad-based arrangement.

Political analyst Barack Muluka argues that the agitation for the DP position could ultimately serve as an exit strategy for Western leaders if their demands are ignored.

"We have leaders from Mt Kenya insisting that the DP position belongs to Prof Kindiki, while others are fronting Wanga. Western leaders know they may not get the slot and could use that rejection as justification to leave the Kenya Kwanza administration because of the hostility they are facing from the ground," Dr Muluka observed.

According to Muluka, the ongoing succession debate is less about preparing for 2032 and more about securing political survival amid shifting alliances and changing voter sentiments.