Western leaders demand deputy president slot ahead of 2027

Leaders from Western region have demanded the Deputy President’s position as a condition for supporting President William Ruto’s bid for a second and final term in the 2027 general election.

The leaders, under the Western Caucus, said the region should be given the opportunity to nominate the person who will deputise President Ruto if he seeks re-election.

The caucus, comprising elected MPs from Western Kenya, made the demands while addressing journalists in Kisumu.

Caucus chairman John Waluke, the MP for Sirisia, said Western Kenya had enough votes to justify its demand for the position.

The MPs present included Raphael Wanjala (Budalangi), Wafula Wakoli (Bungoma), David Ndakwe, Dan Wanyama, Kivai Kigesi, Tindi Mwale, Titus Khamala and Beatrice Adagala.

He said the region was also positioning itself to succeed President Ruto in 2032, when he is expected to leave office after serving the constitutional limit of two terms.

The MPs also called on the government to complete stalled development projects in Western Kenya.

They want the Parliamentary Service Commission position previously held by Rachael Ameso to remain with the region.

The caucus welcomed President Ruto’s decision to address taxation issues affecting hawkers but called for similar consideration for other workers.

The leaders also called for government intervention in the sugar sector, which has faced longstanding challenges.
They rejected the Crop Amendment Bill, describing it as retrogressive.

The MPs further called for action to address the education funding crisis, saying it had affected many students, particularly those from low-income families.

They also urged the government to coordinate voter registration and mobilisation campaigns, with MPs playing a leading role.

On electricity, the caucus called on the Energy Cabinet Secretary to expand power coverage in areas that remain unserved and address persistent outages across Western Kenya.

Waluke also dismissed political activities by one of Linda Mwananchi leaders and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, saying the Western Caucus had broad support because it represented constituencies across the region.