Mbadi intensifies push for 2032 succession politics in Nyanza as he backs Ruto
By Sharon Atieno, June 27, 2026Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has urged the Nyanza region to rally behind President William Ruto and support the current government, saying the region should focus on backing Ruto now before pushing for a presidential candidate from Nyanza in the 2032 General Election.
Speaking on Saturday, June 27, 2026, during an ODM grassroots mobilisation meeting in Migori where ODM leaders raised Ksh35.175 million, Mbadi said the Nyanza region has repeatedly suffered political betrayal despite years of supporting the late opposition leader Raila Odinga, arguing that the time had come to adopt a different political strategy.
Mbadi revisited the disputed 2007 election, claiming ODM supporters had endured years of betrayal even after Raila’s political compromises aimed at protecting supporters.
“Vile Raila alimshinda 2007. Raila decided for handshake but they betrayed ODM seven times. Our young boys were murdered until Raila asked for handshake, they betrayed us,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi says Nyanza should now unite behind Ruto
The Treasury CS said after repeated political disappointments, the Nyanza region now remains united and fully supports President Ruto instead of returning to opposition politics, which he argued had historically worked against their interests.
According to Mbadi, the region should strategically back the current administration before preparing its own presidential push in the next political cycle.
“For now as Luo, let us join hands and support Ruto, then in the next election we also support one person from Luo… I am ready for 2032,” he said.
Mbadi said the community had reached a point where political divisions must end, insisting leaders from the region should now speak with one voice in support of President Ruto’s leadership.
“Nishambia hawa watu kwamba tujishikane pamoja, tukikuja pamoja kama viongozi wa sehemu hii, hakuna mtu atakuja kuuza sera isipokuwa ya William Samoei Ruto, na hapa chama ni moja, chama ni ODM,” Mbadi said.
The Treasury CS defended the region’s growing support for Ruto, saying development projects initiated by the President since assuming office had convinced many leaders that supporting the current administration was now the best political direction.
“Sababu gani tunasupport William Ruto? Ukiangalia tangu Ruto achukue uongozi zile amefanya sehemu hii, tunasema hatuna budi nyingine, lazima tusupport William Ruto,” he stated.
ODM Leaders contribute Ksh35 million in Migori fundraising
During the ODM mobilisation event, leaders and supporters raised Ksh35 million to support grassroots political activities, with Mbadi personally contributing Ksh1.5 million alongside other senior leaders backing the fundraiser.
Fundraiser signals shifting political calculations in Nyanza
The fundraiser and Mbadi’s remarks are expected to trigger fresh debate over the evolving political relationship between ODM leaders and President Ruto’s administration, as succession politics slowly begin taking shape ahead of the 2032 race.