National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya have urged the Luhya community to rally behind President William Ruto’s re-election bid heading into the 2027 general polls.

Speaking in Lurambi, Kakamega County, on Friday, September 19, 2025, Wetangula noted that the community’s unity and voting strength will shape their chances of securing the presidency in 2032.

In a gathering that was also attended by seven Members of Parliament, led by Lurambi MP Titus Khamala, Wetangula insisted on voting as a block to ensure that the incumbent serves his second term amid the rising opposition.

”We encouraged the community to rally behind the President, reminding them that political support must reflect our numbers and strength,” Wtangula said in an X statement on Friday, September 19, 2025.

During the occasion, CS Oparanya highlighted other government initiatives under his Ministry, including ongoing reforms in the coffee sector aimed at improving productivity, enhancing market access for smallholder farmers, the Nyota project and ensuring the sustainability of the value chain.

”The Nyota project, a collaboration between the Kenyan Government and the World Bank, is set to empower youth across the country through targeted entrepreneurship training,” Oparanya said.

Cracks in Kakamega

The meetings come days after Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa was declared the ODM County Chairman following the party elections held on Monday, September 1, 2025.

The announcement was made by Returning Officer Felix Ngala, together with a team from Orange House led by Presiding Officer Violet Ananda. Delegates drawn from all constituencies in Kakamega unanimously endorsed Barasa for the position.

In the race for the county chairmanship, Governor Barasa had faced stiff competition from Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera. The earlier round of voting ended in Barasa’s favour, but Nabwera protested the outcome, citing claims of irregularities and incidents of violence linked to the governor’s camp.

Despite the disputes, Barasa emerged as the undisputed county chairman after the polls. In his first address after the declaration, he expressed gratitude to the delegates and reassured members of the party’s unity in Kakamega. He emphasised that ODM remains solid in the county despite attempts to portray internal divisions.

On the other hand, Oparanya and his camp defied ODM’s position by rallying behind Nabii Nabwera, prompting Governor Barasa to call the CS out.