Western Kenya leaders meet in Naivasha, pledge support for Ruto in 2027
By Mustafa Juma, May 24, 2026A section of leaders from Western Kenya has held a high-level consultative forum in Naivasha, where they pledged to support President William Ruto’s re-election bid in the 2027 General Election.
Taking to his official X account on Sunday, May 24, 2026, shortly after the meeting, Coperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said the engagement focused on the future of the region and the collective aspirations of the Mulembe Nation, with an emphasis on unity, cooperation, and development.
Oparanya noted that the meeting provided a platform to reflect on the need for political unity and a shared development agenda across Western Kenya counties.
They stressed that cohesion among leaders from the region was key to accelerating socio-economic transformation and ensuring equitable development.
“Joined fellow leaders from the Western Kenya region in Naivasha for a high-level consultative forum focused on the future of our region and the collective aspirations of the Mulembe Nation ahead of the 2027 General Election.The engagement provided an important platform for reflection on the need for unity, strategic cooperation and a shared development agenda geared towards accelerating socio-economic transformation across our counties,” Oparanya stated.
“As leaders from the region, we reaffirmed our commitment to working together to ensure the completion of all ongoing and priority development projects for the benefit of our people.”
Cooperation with national government
The leaders further emphasised the importance of collaboration with the national government, saying such cooperation would help unlock more opportunities and improve service delivery in the region.
Oparanya said a united Mulembe Nation would strengthen the region’s political and economic influence at the national level.
“We agreed that a united Mulembe Nation, working closely with the National Government, remains key to unlocking greater opportunities, strengthening service delivery and advancing the region’s political and economic interests,” he stated.
Endorsement of Ruto’s re-election bid
The leaders also expressed their support for President Ruto’s leadership, citing development programmes implemented under his administration, particularly in Western Kenya.
They said they would back his re-election bid in 2027, pointing to ongoing projects they believe are transforming the region.
“We also reaffirmed our unwavering support for H.E. President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027, recognizing the progress made through his administration’s development programmes across the country and particularly within the Western Kenya region,” Oparanya wrote on X.
The Naivasha forum comes amid increasing political mobilisation across different regions ahead of the next general election, with leaders seeking to build alliances and consolidate regional interests.
Split of Western vote
The Naivasha meeting comes days after Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya claimed that there is a political scheme aimed at pushing Oparanya out of both the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and the Cabinet in order to divide the Western Kenya vote ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an event on Friday, May 22, 2026, Natembeya claimed that certain forces are planning to engineer Oparanya’s exit from government and position him as a presidential contender to weaken opposition unity in the region.
According to the Trans Nzoia governor, the purported plan is intended to create divisions within ODM and the broader opposition by encouraging the formation of a separate Western Kenya political bloc.
He claimed that the ultimate goal is to have Oparanya align with disgruntled ODM figures and launch a separate presidential movement by seeking sympathy votes.
“Sasa saa hizi wanapanga njama, na ninataka Oparanya ndugu yangu asikie kwa sababu ako ndani ya hiyo njama, wanataka kukorogana kule kidogo ifanywe kwamba wamemfukuza na ati amefutwa kazi ili atoke akuje huku nje atafute sympathy,” Natembeya claimed.
“Waseme kwamba yeye alikuwa kwa ODM, sasa ashikane na watu wengine wa ODM wale ambao wanapigana, ati waseme yakwamba wanakuwa na presidential candidate wao. Nia yao wanataka kugawanya western.”