Wamalwa: Western Kenya is not an export zone for Deputy Presidents
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 24, 2026Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has dismissed calls for Western Kenya to settle for the deputy president’s position in the next general election, insisting that the region is not an export zone for the country’s second-in-command.
Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Friday, July 24, 2026, the outspoken former defence cabinet secretary strongly rejected the proposal, arguing that the Western Kenya region also deserves to produce a president, with leaders from other regions deputising them.
The presidential hopeful urged the community to focus on the country’s top seat rather than the deputy presidency, saying the region has what it takes to produce a president.
‘Western Kenya is not the export zone of deputy presidents. We have produced vice presidents as a region. We are now qualified with our vote of 5 million. We are ready and we qualify to be president!” Wamalwa said.
His remarks come at a time when Western Kenya remains divided over the region’s political direction ahead of the 2027 general election.
While one faction is pushing for National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula or Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to be considered for the deputy president’s slot, another group is advocating for the region to field its own presidential candidate.
Naivasha retreat
The calls for the deputy president’s position gained momentum after a caucus of Western Kenya Members of Parliament, chaired by Speaker Wetang’ula, held a retreat in Naivasha where they demanded that the region be allocated the position, arguing that Western Kenya has sufficient numbers to justify being considered for the seat.
However, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, despite attending the Naivasha retreat, later distanced himself from the discussions, insisting that he should not be included in the deputy president debate.
Mudavadi stated that he is not interested in the deputy presidency, maintaining that his ambition remains the presidency.
He said his goal is to eventually succeed President William Ruto after the latter completes his constitutional two-term tenure, should he secure re-election in 2027.
Savula backs Mudavadi.
Mudavadi’s position has also been backed by Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, who argued that the region should not focus on the deputy president’s slot but instead support President William Ruto unconditionally while expecting political reciprocity in 2032.
Savula maintained that the deputy presidency has brought little political benefit to Western Kenya over the years and insisted that the region should no longer pursue the position.
On the other hand, leaders aligned with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement have also rejected suggestions that Sifuna should settle for the deputy president’s position.
Wangamati’s suggestion
Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati recently dismissed proposals by some political observers suggesting a Kalonzo Musyoka-Edwin Sifuna ticket, with the Nairobi senator serving as the running mate.
Instead, Wangamati argued that leaders from Western Kenya should concentrate on popularising Sifuna across the region so that his support continues to grow.
According to him, by December, Sifuna’s numbers should have improved significantly, enabling him to rank highly in presidential opinion polls and strengthen his chances of leading the opposition ticket rather than deputising another candidate.