Leaders from the Western region of the country have now threatened to walk out of the broad-based government arrangement should President William Ruto not heed their incessant calls to implement development projects in the region.
The Standard has established that a caucus of Western leaders met with President Ruto on Thursday at State House, where they, among other things, protested the region’s “snub” in the 2025/2026 financial year budget.
Notably, the National Assembly is currently ‘fine-tuning’ the budget estimates for the next financial year that commences July 1.
According to sources, the meeting was called by the Head of State in a bid to quell disquiet from the region’s leaders who had been concerned over the “tokenism” manner in which low development projects were being distributed, which was a sharp contrast to their counter Nyanza counterparts who are heavily reaping from their union with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Led by the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, the MPs expressed concern that the Nyanza region had been allocated more than Sh6 billion for development works on roads and other projects, whereas the Western region only got Sh1.2 billion, with other projects such as electricity and water not being factored into the budget.
Aware that Ruto was courting the Nyanza region for his re-election bid, they demanded to have an equal if not greater share of resources, given that they were already part of the government.
MPs who attended the meeting hail from Busia, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Vihiga and Bungoma counties. Notable leaders such as the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Bumula MP Jack Wamboka and Bonnie Khalwale, who has been blowing hot and cold over the region’s place in the broad-based government, however, did not attend the meeting.
“Despite the numerous meetings that we have had with the President, the region is still not well factored into the budget, yet we are key stakeholders. This must be addressed, said an MP who sought anonymity.
Another MP from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party acknowledged the Raila factor in Nyanza being allocated more resources but insisted that Western was a vote-rich region which “should be a priority” to President Ruto ahead of the 2027 General elections.
Wamboka told The Standard he did not attend the meeting due to “lack of tangible progress from prior meetings,” which was his reason for not attending, calling for an implementation of the promises by the Head of State during a tour of the region earlier this year.
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Leaders from the Western region of the country have now threatened to walk out of the
broad-based government
arrangement should President William Ruto not heed their incessant calls to implement development projects in the region.
The Standard
has established that a caucus of Western leaders met with President Ruto on Thursday at State House, where they, among other things, protested the region’s “snub” in the 2025/2026 financial year budget.
Notably, the National Assembly is currently ‘fine-tuning’ the budget estimates for the next financial year that commences July 1.
By Josphat Thiong’o