The three-day devolution conference held in Homa Bay has exposed the county boss, Gladys Wanga’s long-held undertones that she is angling for the presidential running mate position in 2027.

The county boss is enjoying a blissful moment in her leadership with many national government-sponsored development projects, as well as being chairperson of the six-million-vote-rich Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and a critical constituent of the broad-based government.

Both aspects are crucial in amassing the necessary influence for any person eyeing to vie alongside Ruto in the 2027 general elections than any other in Kenya’s history. 

Wanga needs her party leader, Raila Odinga, to throw his weight behind her for Ruto to pick her as his running mate, a move that many see as communicated now, though indirectly.

Notably, the devolution conference was the third high-profile event of national status that the first-time governor has hosted in three years, after the Homa Bay International Investment Conference last year in February, and this year’s Madakara Day celebrations. 

Political analyst Javas Bigambo notes that Wanga has exemplified her political acumen as a good coordinator of devolution while championing the support of the broad-based government.

Bigambo says the events have created excellent political optics for Governor Wanga at the county level and nationally as a party leader, even managing to shed the gender lens and positioning herself as a national leader. 

“From being a woman representative to being a governor, in that portrayal, she has demonstrated that she’s capable of many other responsibilities. And even if she is chosen as a running mate, I think she will not disappoint,” he opines, hinging Wanga’s fortune as a potential presidential running mate on the prevailing cordial relationship between Raila and Ruto. 

Bigambo, however, urges caution since Ruto would be careful with whom he picks as his running mate, emphasising that picking a woman candidate is not an automatic election-winning ticket. 

“The gender question does not determine who wins the election, but it has an added advantage, depending on how coalitions have been formed and the political arguments that are advanced,” he adds. 

Martin Andati, another analyst, differs with Bigambo, saying that Wanga is only raising her stakes for the position, hoping that Raila will recommend her to Ruto.

According to Andati, the current political tides are working in favour of Wanga, including the appointment of John Mbadi, who hails from her county to the National Treasury. 

“She is good at lobbying, including resources from the national government that have made Ruto visit and launch many projects in the county. That is giving her some serious credit,” Andati says. 

However, he doubts Wanga’s political muscle to replace Kindiki as Ruto’s running mate, noting that she lacks support from the entire Nyanza region. 

“For Ruto to get re-elected, he needs a running mate who comes in with a serious strategy to garner votes. Beyond Homa Bay, what numbers would Wanga be bringing to the table?” Andati poses.  

For Ruto to win an election, Andati believes that the only option now, after the fallout with the Central region, is the Western region.

The analyst sees Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the most prominent Mulembe nation native who has the support, greater than Wanga, to send Ruto back to State House in 2027. 

“At least Edwin, as the ODM Secretary General, has worked very well in that position and has built a national profile for himself. Wanga cannot claim the Luhya block despite her ambition,” Andati adds, cautioning that Wanga can bank on neither Ruto nor Raila over her ambitions, as both leaders have vested interests   

“Ruto is a pragmatic politician and is alive to all those dynamics.  Baba cannot front Gladys when he is around; he will front himself,” Andati says. 

After the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua, Wanga was among the three governors, including Cecily Mbarire (Embu) and Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), who were eyeing the deputy president seats.

Ruto, however, dashed their hopes after going against an earlier promise to have a female deputy when he eventually picked Kindiki Kithure to replace Gachagua.