Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa has slammed President William Ruto’s recent development tour of Western Kenya, calling it a desperate move after losing his once-stronghold, the Mt Kenya region.

Speaking in Karen on Monday, January 27, 2025, during the grand launch of the new DAP-K party headquarters, Wamalwa ridiculed the head of state, claiming he has resorted to focusing on Western Kenya because he has exhausted other options for his campaign trails.

Wamalwa addressed the delay in instituting an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), accusing Ruto of dragging his feet to buy time as he waits for the African Union election results to expand his government.

During his remarks, Wamalwa did not hold back, alleging that Ruto is stalling because he fears that if an IEBC committee is constituted and a by-election is called, his government would be voted out immediately, especially given the cold reception he now faces in Mt Kenya.

“The main delay about the IEBC ni wanajipanga they broaden their government wanangoja matokeo ya AU. The other issue is sababu huyu jamaa anaogopa by-election. Saa hii kukiwa na by-election vile aliguza Mlima. Mtu wa wamunyoro si atanyorosha huyu jamaa.”

Wamalwa warned Ruto outright, stating that in the event of a by-election, his presidency would collapse, no matter how many days he extends his Western Kenya tour.

“There are many reasons why William Ruto has been hesitant to constitute the IEBC. Saa hii kukiwa na by election anywhere hata akae huko Western, siku ngapi. Wamekaa sita hata warudi mara sitini. Tuko tunajipanga. Waliambiwa wasiguse mlima waagusa mlima. Huu mlima umetereza saa hii wametoroka nawaonea Mt Elgon,” he said.

Buying Western Kenya parties

Wamalwa further accused Ruto of employing a strategy to buy out all political parties in Western Kenya in an attempt to consolidate his influence and align them with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

He claimed Ruto has already bought Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC and Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya and is now allegedly coercing Wycliffe Oparanya to bring ODM under his control.

Wamalwa did not mince words, asserting that Ruto’s attempts would never succeed with DAP-K, and he vowed to square off with him in the 2027 elections to decisively show him the door.

“Ile strategy ako nayo anataka anunue vyama vyote za Western Kenya aweke kwa mfuko. ANC ya Musalia… Ford Kenya ya Wetang’ula iko, hata ODM, Oparanya anakula peremende polepole na Zakayo. William Ruto, you can buy all leaders and parties from Western Kenya, but you cannot buy DAP Kenya, Eugene Wamalwa. Uwe tayari tukutane kwa debe wewe. We are ready.”