President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, has vouched for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula as the most suitable leaders from their region to take over power from President William Ruto in 2032.

Speaking in Shamisi in Malava Constituency while campaigning for Kabras West (MCA) United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aspirant Elphanas Shalakha on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Farouk stated that the Mulembe region should take over power from the president upon his retirement.

He went ahead to add that the leaders who will actualise the takeover should be the two sons of the Mulembe region who hold the highest offices from the region.

He further added that the community has suffered since independence in 1963, and it would be appropriate for the region to take over from President William Ruto when he enters retirement.

“Sisi tunataka baada ya Ruto mluhya awe rais, tuko na Mudavadi mko na wetang’ula wanatosha hawatoshi,” Farouk said.

This comes days after he urged the region that the only way they can access power and actualise their long desire for a person from their region to taste power is by supporting President William Ruto in his re-election bid in 2027.

He added that since the Rift Valley region, which is Ruto’s backyard, neighbours Western Kenya, upon helping their son ascend to power in 2027, the Kalenjin community will have no other choice than to back one of the Mulembe locals in clinching the top seat.

Mudavadi’s presidential ambitions

This also comes days after Mudavadi declared his interest in vying for the presidency in 2032 after Ruto’s term.

He stated that that is why he ditched the Amani National Congress (ANC) and joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, which he believes has a national footprint and appeal.

He said that when he rallies the region to vote for Ruto in 2027 under the UDA banner, it will be easier for him to penetrate the political strongholds of the Rift Valley and the entire country, which will add weight to his presidential bid rather than sticking to a party that has only a regional influence.

On the other hand, Moses Wetang’ula also declared his bid for the 2032 presidential race, echoing Musalia’s sentiments that the only way the region can taste power is by supporting Ruto in 2027 so that the Rift Valley region can reciprocate in 2032.

He argued, citing the late vice president Wamalwa Kijana, who often said that the only way to rise is by allowing others to use your shoulder to climb.

Leaders opposing Wetang’ula’s ambitions

Leaders from the region, led by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, have dismissed the two leaders for aiming at 2032, saying that the region will not wait until that time and is as ready as 2027 to take over power.

Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati also came out to add his voice on the 2032 succession politics, saying that Wetang’ula is just misleading the region that he will vie so as to remain politically relevant. He stated that if Wetang’ula were serious, he could have done so in 2013 and 2017.

Savula’s view

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has welcomed the presidential ambitions of the two, saying that it is good to be foresighted, and urged Mulembe locals that the only way forward is through the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and supporting President William Ruto in 2027.

While declaring his quest for presidency, Wetang’ula stated that should any person from the region have a higher chance of clinching the top seat, he will shelve his presidential ambition and support his fellow kinsman.