Mudavadi: I am best placed to succeed Ruto in 2032, ANC-UDA merger was strategic
By Enock Amukhale, July 9, 2026Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has declared that he is the best-placed leader to succeed President William Ruto in 2032, urging Western Kenya to unite behind Ruto’s re-election in 2027 as the pathway to producing the country’s next Head of State.
Speaking in Trans Nzoia County on Thursday during a development tour, Mudavadi said the region’s political future depends on backing President Ruto for a second term before rallying behind a presidential candidate from Western Kenya in 2032.
“Western Kenya as a region has produced three Vice Presidents in previous regimes. The time has now come for the region to eye the top seat,” Mudavadi said.
“I was Vice President in 2002 when I served under the late President Daniel Arap Moi. Later, my brother Kijana Wamalwa occupied the seat, followed by Moody Awori in the same capacity. We now want to prepare ourselves for the ultimate prize, which is the Presidency.”
Unity of Western community
“We need to be united as a region and as a people. This will happen if we support President Ruto for his second term, and thereafter we plan well. I believe we shall get this seat,” he said.
He insisted that Kenya needs a leadership transition that preserves stability and ensures continuity of ongoing government projects.
“In 2022, I told you that President Ruto would win, and he won. I am here again in Kitale, as your son and brother, to tell you that Ruto will win in 2027. He is the route for us to take over in 2032. We want a petition-free victory for Ruto,” Mudavadi said.
Reflecting on his decision to merge ANC with UDA, Mudavadi said the move was strategic.
“Mimi nimeongoza chama cha ANC na najua umuhimu wa chama. Nilifanya uamuzi na wafuasi wetu na tukajiunga na UDA ili footprint yetu iwe kubwa zaidi na ishike kila mahali kuanzia Western, twende Rift Valley, twende Coast, twende Mt Kenya, twende Eastern, Nyanza, Nairobi, North Eastern na kila pahali ili tuwe tayari kuchukua uongozi wa Kenya,” he said.
“Lazima tutapimana nguvu baada ya kumpa Ruto 2nd Term mwaka wa 2027, na tukiwa na hiyo footprint kubwa kama tumeshika kila mahali, hiyo itatupatia nafasi nzuri ya kuwa President kutoka eneo la Magharibi,” he added.
Mudavadi traced Western’s leadership heritage to the late Masinde Muliro and called on the region to nurture and support leaders of national stature.
On local politics, he said he would not endorse any candidate for the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial race, urging aspirants to compete fairly ahead of UDA nominations.
“I am a leader who believes that the strength of democracy lies in competition. I am not here to impose any leader on the people of Trans Nzoia,” he said.