Nandi governor backs Kindiki for 2032 presidency
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 11, 2026Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has thrown his weight behind Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to succeed President William Ruto when his second and final term comes to an end in 2032.
Speaking during the Kaptagat Conservation Programme in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Saturday, July 11, 2026, the second-term governor said Kenya would be in safe hands under Kindiki’s leadership once President Ruto exits office.
“We are seeing the work you are doing as deputy president; when Ruto exits the country, it will be in safe hands under your leadership,” the governor said.
Sang praised Kindiki’s performance during his two years as deputy president, saying he has demonstrated leadership qualities and the ability to steer the country after 2032.
Mudavadi’s presidential bid
The endorsement comes at a time when political succession debates are beginning to gather momentum, with leaders increasingly expressing their preferences on who should succeed President Ruto after the 2032 general election.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, on his side has firmly dismissed calls for him to become President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 general election, saying he has no interest in the position.
Speaking during a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) meeting in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Mudavadi said he had already served as Kenya’s vice president and that the only position he now aspires to is the presidency. He emphasised that he is not seeking any office below that.
“I am not interested in the running mate slot; I aim to be the president in 2032,” he said.
His remarks came amid growing calls from leaders in the Western Kenya region, led by former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, who urged President Ruto to pick the UDA deputy party leader and former Amani National Congress (ANC) leader as his running mate in the next election.
Mudavadi’s 2032 plan
Mudavadi reiterated that his immediate focus is to support President Ruto and the UDA administration in securing re-election in 2027. He stated that his political objective is to ensure Ruto completes two terms in office, after which he hopes to pursue the presidency in 2032, when the president’s second and final constitutional term would come to an end, should he be re-elected in 2027.
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.