A section of leaders from Western have kicked off yet another initiative to unite the region. Those agitating for unity believe coalescing the region will give them a strong bargaining platform for power in 2027 and beyond.  

Yet, despite renewed vitality for unity, personal and political differences among local leaders are becoming apparent – threatening to scuttle the efforts.

Among those pushing for a united region unity are Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, who have indicated their support for President William Ruto’s second term bid in 2027.

While accompanying Ruto during a church event in Lugari on Sunday, June 15, 2025, Wetang’ula also appealed to the people of Western to register as voters in large numbers in readiness for the 2027 elections.

The Speaker also asked emerging politicians across the region to respect senior leaders, seek guidance and learn from seasoned politicians.

The Ford Kenya boss was in Khwisero constituency on Saturday, June 14, 2025, where he commissioned a modern computer lab and classrooms at Namasoli Secondary School and Shirotsa Comprehensive School in Khwisero Constituency on Saturday.

According to Wetang’ula, one of the political old guards from the region, sustained attacks by emerging politicians on veteran leaders are undermining the community’s cohesion and political progress.

Top ambitions

“I have seen young leaders, some just starting their parliamentary journey, hurling insults at senior leaders in public. This will not earn them political mileage,” he said, adding that they too were once junior, but chose to respect those who were ahead of them, which helped them grow politically.

Wetang’ula has committed to continue pushing for Luhya unity and help achieve Western’s desire to ascend to the highest office on the land.

He argued that disunity among leaders, and not the electorate, remains the biggest barrier to the community’s desire to produce a president.

“It’s not the people who are divided. It’s us, the leaders. We must take responsibility and come together,” Wetang’ula said.

Other lawmakers singing the unity tune include Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), Fred Ikana (Shinyalu), Kakai Bisau (Kiminini), John Waluke (Sirisia) and Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda.

The legislators suggest that the time is ripe for the region to produce a president while urging Mudavadi, Wetang’ula and Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya to engage and agree on who to fly the flag among them after President Ruto’s stint.

“If they don’t, we will mobilise the community to make that decision,” said Nabwera at an event attended by Wetang’ula in Matungu constituency on Saturday, insisting that the community has the numerical strength to give them a real shot at national leadership, only if they unite.

Wetang’ula confirmed that they were ready to dialogue and charter the way forward for the good of the community’s political, social and economic empowerment.

Galvanising community

Oparanya also reaffirmed his interest in the presidency but insisted that he is willing to support a consensus candidate if it serves the community’s greater good.

In 2020, Musikari Kombo, then Ford K chairman, made similar sentiments following mounting pressure for Western leaders to unite and front one of them for the top seat.

Some of the young politicians pulling in different directions include Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, a relative greenhorn and first-time lawmaker. Salasya, who was elected on a DAP-K ticket, has indicated that he will run for president in 2027 against Ruto and his party boss, Eugene Wamalwa.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, gospel artiste Reuben Kigame and Trans Governor George Natembeya also have their sights on the presidency.

But will the mission to galvanise the region come to fruition this time round?  

“Different groups and even individuals seem to be chasing different and even selfish own agendas that will be difficult to reconcile. There is also a lot of attitude and feeling of self-importance that helps nobody,” says political commentator Barrack Muluka.

Dr Muluka, a communication expert, believes political heavyweights from the region could be complicating efforts for Luhya unity.  

He opines that Mudavadi and Wetang’ula may not be the right leaders to champion the unity agenda.  

“Short of a miracle, they will be irrelevant in 2027. They already are,” argues Muluka.

The political pundit, however, says if the new crop of emerging leaders and some old ones will be humble enough to listen to advice, seek compromise, and be willing to work together and to bring others on board too, they can achieve the unity dream.

He was referring to Natembeya, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Wamalwa, Oparanya, and Mukhisa Kituyi, among others.   

“But the electorate must also be willing to listen to them, and to especially reject money traps and propaganda from outsiders,” cautions Muluka.