Battle for Ruto’s deputy begins as Western, Coast and Mt Kenya flex muscle
Political analysts say the growing scramble for the Deputy President slot could significantly reshape coalition negotiations within Kenya Kwanza and allied formations as regional kingpins seek strategic bargaining power ahead of the polls.
Leaders from Western Kenya have intensified calls for the region to secure the Deputy President position in President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid, signaling growing pressure within the Kenya Kwanza coalition over power-sharing arrangements ahead of the next General Election.
The renewed push emerged during a high-level consultative meeting held in Naivasha and attended by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and more than 28 lawmakers drawn from the Western Kenya Parliamentary Caucus.
Also present at the meeting were Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and Vihiga Governor Wilberforce Otichillo.
Apart from Western Kenya leaders, a section of the Orange Democratic Movement wing backing President Ruto under the Broad-Based Government arrangement is also eyeing the Deputy President position.
The faction, associated with Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, is pushing for greater political influence within the evolving alliance between Kenya Kwanza and ODM-allied leaders.
At the same time, the vote-rich Mount Kenya region, currently represented by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, is also expected to aggressively lobby to retain the seat as part of efforts to safeguard its political leverage within government.
The Coast region has equally emerged as a key battleground in the unfolding succession matrix, with speculation mounting that Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho and Tana River Governor Dadho Godhana are among leaders interested in the position as President Ruto moves to consolidate support in the coastal counties.
Political analysts say the growing scramble for the Deputy President slot could significantly reshape coalition negotiations within Kenya Kwanza and allied formations as regional kingpins seek strategic bargaining power ahead of the polls.
The leaders argued that Western Kenya, owing to its sizeable voting bloc and increasing political alignment with the Kenya Kwanza administration, deserves a more influential role in national leadership, including the country’s second-highest office.
Among the MPs who attended the meeting were John Waluke (Sirisia), John Makali (Kanduyi), Martin Pepela (Webuye East), Didymus Barasa (Kimilili), Daniel Wanyama (Webuye West), Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon), Catherine Wambilianga (Bungoma County Woman Representative), Oku Kaunya (Teso North) and Mary Emase (Teso South).
Others were Geoffrey Mulanya (Nambale), Odanga Geoffrey (Matayos), Raphael Wanjala (Budalang’i), Joseph Maero (Butula), Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Elsie Muhanda (Kakamega County Woman Representative), Charles Gumini (Hamisi), Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga County Woman Representative), Kakai Bisau (Kiminini) and Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, among others.
Speaking to journalists at Lake Naivasha Resort on Sunday, May 24, 2026, the legislators said Western Kenya has consistently supported successive governments but has historically been overlooked in key national appointments.
Led by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, the lawmakers declared that the region was now formally seeking the Deputy President slot in President William Ruto’s 2027 ticket.
“We are demanding the running mate position to His Excellency President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election because we have the requisite numbers and capability for the position,” Nabwera said while reading a joint statement on behalf of the caucus.
The MPs insisted that their demand was not based on political goodwill but on the region’s electoral strength, contribution to national development and support for the current administration.
“We are not asking for favours. We are demanding recognition based on our numbers, contribution to national development and political support,” the statement added.
The leaders further called for political unity across Western Kenya, urging leaders from different political formations to set aside their differences and work together to strengthen the region’s bargaining power at the national level.
“The diversity of our differences is our strength. We plead with our leaders to set aside political differences for the greater good of our people,” the lawmakers stated.
At the same time, the caucus reaffirmed its support for President Ruto’s re-election bid, citing what they described as increased government engagement and improved resource allocation to the region under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The latest push adds a fresh layer of intrigue to the increasingly complex succession politics taking shape within President Ruto’s political camp ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The leaders also urged the government to fast-track ongoing development projects in Western Kenya, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, education, water and agriculture sectors, while pledging to hold state agencies accountable for timely implementation.
