Pressure is continuing to build on President William Ruto to announce a new running mate ahead of the 2027 General Election, with leaders from Western Kenya openly campaigning for National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to be selected for the position.
The fresh calls have added a new twist to the growing political debate surrounding the deputy presidency, a position that has become one of the most closely watched offices in Kenya as politicians begin positioning themselves for the next General Election.
Although Kithure Kindiki currently serves as Deputy President, discussions over President William Ruto’s running mate for the 2027 elections continue to dominate the country’s political landscape.
Speaking during a women empowerment event held in Lurambi Constituency on Saturday, Fernandes Barasa said leaders from Western Kenya had agreed that Wetang’ula is the most suitable candidate to become Deputy President in 2027.
He added that the region also sees the Speaker as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2032 General Election.
Barasa said the people of Western Kenya had already identified their leader and expressed confidence that Wetang’ula has the experience and leadership qualities needed to serve in the country’s second-highest office.
According to the governor, the region expects to support President Ruto’s re-election in 2027 and, in return, hopes the presidency will shift to Western Kenya when Ruto completes his second term in 2032.
The Kakamega governor also argued that President Ruto’s administration has significantly increased development projects across the region, making it easier for local leaders to campaign for his second-term bid.
He pointed to the construction and improvement of roads, hospitals, modern markets, and sports facilities as some of the achievements that have strengthened support for the Kenya Kwanza government in Western Kenya.
Barasa expressed confidence that if the current pace of development continues, Western Kenya will rally behind President Ruto and deliver close to four million votes during the 2027 General Election. He said the region is prepared to play a major role in determining the outcome of the next presidential race.
The growing campaign for Wetang’ula has further intensified discussions about the future of the deputy presidency. While Kindiki remains the country’s Deputy President, any move to replace him on President Ruto’s 2027 ticket is expected to spark intense political debate within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Political leaders from different regions have increasingly begun positioning themselves as the country slowly shifts its attention towards the next election cycle.
Several Members of Parliament also joined the campaign by backing Wetang’ula for the deputy presidency. Raphael Wanjala claimed that leaders from Western Kenya reached a common position during recent consultations held in Naivasha.
According to Wanjala, the region agreed that supporting President Ruto’s re-election should be accompanied by consideration for Western Kenya to produce the Deputy President.
At the same time, Titus Khamala publicly shifted his support from Musalia Mudavadi to Wetang’ula. Khamala said he now believes the National Assembly Speaker is better placed to unite the region and eventually lead Western Kenya’s presidential ambitions in the years ahead.
Responding to the growing endorsements, Wetang’ula thanked leaders for their confidence but reminded residents that political influence is determined by voter numbers.
He urged the people of Western Kenya to prioritize voter registration and ensure they are fully prepared to participate in future elections.
The Speaker emphasized that increasing the number of registered voters across the region would strengthen Western Kenya’s bargaining power in national politics.
He noted that while leadership discussions are important, the region’s ability to influence key political decisions will ultimately depend on the size of its voting population during the 2027 General Election.
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