Western Kenya leaders caucus chairman, Sirisia MP John Waluke addressing the media in Kisumu. Faith Matete
Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, accompanied by Western leaders, addressing the media in Kisumu. Faith Matete
President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid has hit a fresh political hurdle, with Western Kenya MPs demanding the Deputy President’s seat and greater representation in the next government.
The MPs, drawn from different political parties, said they had unanimously agreed to work as a united caucus to campaign for Ruto’s re-election while pushing for issues affecting the region.
The demands were contained in a statement signed by the caucus chairman, Sirisia MP John Waluke, and read by Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala after a meeting held in Kisumu on Monday.
“As Western community, we demand the seat of the Deputy President to deputise H.E President William Samoei Ruto in the next general election,” the statement read.
More than 23 MPs attended the meeting, held under the leadership of Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
“Members of the caucus will work as one unit to campaign for the re-election of President William Ruto,” the MPs said.
They said they would continue raising issues affecting residents of Western Kenya while seeking greater representation in the national government.
A key demand is that the region be given the Deputy President position in Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
The MPs also demanded that the Parliamentary Service Commission position currently held by Rachel Ameso be retained by the Western region.
They further called for the completion of stalled government projects in the region, saying this would demonstrate the administration’s commitment to development.
On taxation, the caucus commended Ruto for addressing concerns raised by hawkers but urged the government to extend similar consideration to other workers.
The MPs also called for urgent intervention in the sugar sector, which remains a major economic activity in Western Kenya.
However, they rejected the proposed Crop Amendment Bill, saying they were opposed to it in its entirety.
The caucus also raised concerns over the education funding crisis, particularly its impact on students from poor households.
The MPs said they would also push for coordinated voter registration and mobilisation campaigns across the region, with MPs expected to take the lead.
They further called on the Ministry of Energy to expand electricity coverage to areas that remain unconnected and address persistent power outages affecting the region.
Waluke said the caucus expected the president to respond to their demands.
Asked whether Western MPs would continue supporting Ruto if their demands were not met, Waluke said the president would address the issues before the caucus makes further decisions.
“We know that the President will respond to them. That is what I know as the chairman. In the caucus, we will sit again and look into it,” he said.
The MPs said their unity would extend beyond Parliament, with plans to bring Members of County Assembly and other community leaders on board.
Waluke said the caucus would hold regular meetings as it seeks to consolidate the region’s political voice.
The meeting brought together MPs affiliated with different parties, including UDA, ODM, Ford Kenya and DAP-K, in what the lawmakers described as a broad-based initiative.
“This is broad-based,” Waluke said, adding that the region was preparing itself to negotiate for greater political representation.
He said the demand for the Deputy President position was part of a broader strategy to position Western Kenya for future leadership.
“We are preparing as a region to succeed President William Ruto after 2032,” he said.
Asked who could potentially take the leadership position after Ruto, Waluke said the region had several potential candidates.
“All of us. You know in Western you cannot say one person. It can be anyone,” he said.
The caucus also highlighted the need to increase voter registration in the region ahead of the 2027 elections.Waluke said the region had more than 2 million registered voters but could potentially increase the number significantly through coordinated mobilisation.
He cited a target of about 6.3 million voters for the region.
The MPs said their initiative would cover the region’s entire constituencies, arguing that they were speaking on behalf of their constituents.
They maintained that political unity would strengthen Western Kenya’s bargaining power ahead of the elections.
The caucus comes at a time when political parties and regional formations are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with alliances expected to play a major role in determining the distribution of political positions.
The MPs said their immediate focus was to unite the region around common interests while negotiating for greater representation in the next administration.