Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya has opined that should Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna be picked as the opposition’s running mate in 2027, three-quarters of the Western Kenya vote would rally behind him and deliver victory to the united opposition.

Speaking during a morning show on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the outspoken Nairobi gubernatorial hopeful expressed confidence in the Nairobi senator, saying Sifuna has grown politically and would be a major factor in the 2027 general election.

According to James Gakuya, Sifuna has taken over the political space that the late Raila Odinga long enjoyed in Western Kenya, with many residents now ready to rally behind the Nairobi senator.

He further argued that it would become even easier for the opposition if President William Ruto retains Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as his running mate in 2027.

Gakuya claimed that such a move would give Sifuna an upper hand, as many Western Kenya voters would view him as the region’s best opportunity to ascend to power.

“If Edwin Sifuna is picked as the united opposition running mate, then three quarters of Western Kenya votes will shift with Sifuna.”

He also dismissed claims that the broad-based government has already secured support from regions such as Nyanza and Western Kenya, arguing that Sifuna has successfully penetrated the two regions and enjoys growing backing from residents.

His remarks come days after former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, who recently aligned himself with the Linda Mwananchi movement, dismissed calls for Sifuna to settle for the deputy president’s position, insisting that the region is focused on seeing the Nairobi senator become Kenya’s president.

Wangamati vowed that after the conclusion of Sifuna’s homecoming rally at Bungoma Posta Grounds, leaders allied to the movement would campaign across every part of Western Kenya to popularise his presidential bid.

He expressed confidence that by the time opinion polls are conducted in December 2026, Sifuna will have overtaken all the united opposition principals, giving him an advantage during coalition negotiations and strengthening his chances of being selected as the coalition’s presidential flag bearer.

Western Kenya DP bid

On the government side, politicians from the Western Kenya region have been demanding the deputy president’s position as one of the conditions for supporting President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.

A meeting was recently held in Naivasha under the leadership of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

The gathering, attended by Western Kenya MPs, resolved that the region should be considered for the deputy president’s slot, proposing Speaker Wetang’ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, or Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya for the position.

However, Mudavadi later dismissed discussions about the deputy president’s office, saying he had already served in that capacity and would not settle for anything less than the presidency. He reiterated his support for President Ruto’s re-election in 2027, expressing hope that Ruto would reciprocate by backing his presidential bid in 2032 after completing his constitutional two-term limit.

Savula backs Mudavadi

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has also backed Mudavadi’s position, saying the Western Kenya region is not interested in the deputy president’s office.

He argued that the region has held the position before but gained little politically, urging residents to support President Ruto unconditionally so that he can return the favour by backing a Western Kenya presidential candidate in 2032 after leaving office.