A fierce political battle for the over two million voters in Western Kenya is raging between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio coalitions.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula are keen on wresting the bloc to Kenya Kwanza to secure themselves second terms in the 2027 polls.

The duo has been traversing the Luhya-dominated region to rally the community behind President William Ruto so as to boost their stakes in the current government.

Wetangula was in Bungoma and Kakamega counties a fortnight ago, during which he rallied the residents to delink themselves from Azimio and align with Kenya Kwanza.

Reap benefits

“We have been doing very badly as Mulembe Nation for the past 10 years we were in the Opposition. It is time to open our eyes, support the current regime and reap the benefits,” he told a fundraiser at Lirhembe Friends Church in Ikolomani Constituency.

Mudavadi, on the other hand, camped in the region last week during which time he held  meetings with leaders in Busia and Vihiga counties.

“We have to rally together as a region to reap maximum benefits in terms of development projects for our people,” said the former Vice-President.

Mudavadi called on the political leadership of Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia counties to unite to achieve faster development. 

Speaking in Busia, Mudavadi said there would be no development in the region if the leaders did not work towards achieving a common goal.

“Poverty in Western Kenya is at an alarming rate. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics tells a sad story. Recently, I realised that poverty in our region is visible from the skies, as compared to our neighbours. This is a serious issue that requires collective attention and interventions,” said Mudavadi.

The sentiments were echoed by Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, who said local leaders  were taking too long to put election differences behind them for the sake of development.

Poverty index

He pointed out that the poverty index in Busia County stood at 0.04 per cent.

Otuoma was elected on an ODM ticket and has been a longtime ally of Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

Mudavadi urged  Western residents to decide where the region should be on the map of Kenya on matters concerning economic growth and sustainability. 

“Politics and resource allocation go hand in hand. This calls for a mechanism on how to use political influence to manage resources and advance development projects. We need to ask ourselves, as a people, what is our vote in Parliament during the budget-making process?” the Prime CS posed.

“If our votes are scattered, how do we expect to reap maximum results when the national resources are being shared? It is time to join hands and rally together as a region,” he added.

He further pointed out that there was a need to streamline the region’s development programmes.

Said Otuoma: “We have come up with programmes that will rally this region together, bringing on board all the communities to speak in one voice. I am ready to work with the government through the stewardship of our elder brother, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, to come up with ways to ensure economic revival of  Western Kenya.”

The Friday meeting held at the home of Philip Masinde, a former Cabinet minister, resolved to adopt a bottom-up approach in tackling the challenges facing the region economically.

The elders present suggested that opinions, proposals, ideas and findings from the grassroots be integrated systematically to the county and national levels.

Revive sugar mills

“We need to speak in one voice to see to it that Mumias Sugar Company and the ailing Nzoia Sugar Company are back in operation. Our cotton factories should be revived, as well as our agricultural sector. These will only be achieved if we work with the administration in power, through the support we give our senior leaders led by Mudavadi and Wetangula,” said Masinde.

Mudavadi said time for politicking was over, and there is no room for engaging a reverse gear. “Kenyans made a decision on the ballot on August 9. Whether you voted for Azimio or Kenya Kwanza, it was a personal, democratic and constitutional right. The Supreme Court pronounced itself unanimously on the election petition. The President of Kenya is William Ruto,” he stated. “It is time we moved on and rallied together as a region. Let us learn to accept the reality,” he added.

Mudavadi took a swipe at Raila, who has been enjoying substantial support in the region, for using residents for his “selfish gains”.

“You cannot keep on saying you don’t recognise the regimes of presidents Moi, Kibaki, Uhuru and now Ruto,” he said.

“We want 2027 to be a walk-over for Ruto. The policies we are implementing are aimed at pulling us together as a nation. Those who think there will be any room to defeat Ruto in 2027 should adjust quickly because it will not be easy,” he added.

He said the region should rally together, unite and command a minimum of 50 per cent of the government come 2027.

Mudavadi was again crowned as a Luhya elder during the Busia meeting. And on Saturday, he hosted leaders from his Vihiga backyard at his Mululu home. They were led by Governor Wilbur Ottochilo.

Azimio clinched the majority of seats in the region in the August 9 General-Election.