Wetang’ula woos former Raila base into Ruto camp
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 4, 2026Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Masika Wetang’ula has intensified his push to win support for President William Ruto in regions that traditionally backed the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and its former late leader Raila Odinga, as the ruling coalition steps up early campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a youth empowerment meeting in Nambale Constituency, Busia County, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula urged residents to support President William Ruto for a second term, saying the region should now work closely with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
In a statement shared on his X account on Saturday, July 4, 2026, Wetang’ula reminded residents that he had previously stood firmly with Raila for many years when ODM enjoyed massive support across Western Kenya.
“While drumming up support for President Ruto’s second-term bid, I reminded the people that I was once a fierce defender of ODM leader Raila Odinga who enjoyed overwhelming support from the region for years; this time I urged them to rally behind the president’s bid to serve another term and remain firmly in the broad-based government,” Wetang’ula said.
The Speaker made the remarks during an empowerment forum organised by Nambale MP Geoffrey Mulanya. The meeting focused largely on youth empowerment and the boda boda sector, which Wetang’ula described as important in improving transport and business in rural areas.
He said the boda boda industry had transformed movement in remote areas by making roads and markets more accessible to residents, traders and service providers.
“The Bodaboda sector has revolutionised and enhanced rural transport making areas that were classified remote or with poor road network accessible for people, goods and services,” he stated.
Insecurity in boda boda sector
However, Wetang’ula also raised concern over rising insecurity linked to criminal gangs operating within the sector. He warned that criminal activities were damaging the image of boda boda riders and making the industry less attractive.
“While supporting efforts to empower the riders, I expressed concern over the rising cases in Bodaboda related crimes and urged the players within the sector to follow the laid out rules, regulate themselves and work with security agencies to weed out the criminal elements,” he added.
Statement on support for President Ruto. PHOTO/Screengrab by PD Digital/@HonWetangula/X
Wetang’ula deepens Ruto push
Wetang’ula’s latest remarks add to a series of political statements he has made in recent months defending Ruto’s administration and calling on Western Kenya leaders to unite behind the president.
In June 2026, Wetang’ula defended Ruto’s development record in Western Kenya during a church service in Bungoma County. He argued that the region had benefited from major government appointments and development projects despite failing to vote overwhelmingly for Ruto in the 2022 election.
At the time, Wetang’ula pointed to the appointment of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other senior officials from the region as proof that the government had not sidelined Western Kenya.
He also cited projects such as the revival of stalled roads, the planned expansion of Matulo Airstrip and the proposed Standard Gauge Railway station in Bungoma as evidence of development under the current administration.
The Speaker has repeatedly called for political unity in Western Kenya, arguing that the region stands to gain more by working closely with the national government.
In April 2026, while attending a funeral service in Bomet County, Wetang’ula asked leaders across the political divide to support Ruto’s development agenda, saying the economy was beginning to stabilise.
“Today, I called on all Kenyans to support President William Ruto’s development agenda, which I confidently noted is on the right path,” Wetang’ula said at the time.
His growing political mobilisation in Western Kenya has also fuelled speculation about his own future ambitions. Some leaders allied to Kenya Kwanza have openly endorsed him as a possible presidential contender after Ruto’s tenure.
In May 2026, President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet publicly endorsed Wetang’ula as a potential future president, saying leadership from Western Kenya should eventually rise to the country’s top office.
Wetang’ula himself has hinted at higher political ambitions, citing his long experience in government as preparation for national leadership.