• He revealed that he had been earmarked to become former president Uhuru Kenyatta's running mate only for things to change in favour of Ruto.
• He revealed that he had been earmarked to become former president Uhuru Kenyatta's running mate only for things to change in favour of Ruto.
Image: FILE
Democratic Action Party leader Eugene Wamalwa has hinted at taking on President William Ruto in the 2027 presidential race.
The former Defence cabinet secretary spoke in Kitale Sunday.
"It is official that I will be challenging my brother the President of Kenya Dr. William Ruto in the 2027 presidential elections ," Wamalwa said.
He revealed that he had been earmarked to become former president Uhuru Kenyatta's running mate only for things to change in favour of Ruto.
"The three of us, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Dr. William Samoei Ruto and myself were awarded a spear each by the then Ford Kenya leader Musikari Nazi Kombo to seek out the country's top leadership when Mzee Mwai Kibaki was about to retire," Wamalwa revealed.
He said since the two had tested power, it was his time to take a stab at the presidency in the coming general elections.
Wamalwa said he was in support of leaders from the former Western Kavirondo to unite behind one of their own and go for the top seat.
"There is no secret or doubt that Western Province where the Mulembe nation is can produce a president. We are the second largest community in this country and we can make it," he said.
He noted that time for the elusive unity of the Luhya community to be achieved had come.
The dream of the Mulembe community making it to the highest office on land has remained elusive with four of the community's top guns expressing interest in the seat.
Wamalwa, Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and former Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya have all said they will be in the race.
Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya said his name will also be on the presidential ballot in 2032.
Musalia and Wetang'ula are, however, in the same political coalition with Ruto and chances of one of them challenging him in the 2027 elections are slim.
Wamalwa, however, said he is optimistic that he will outshine the president and become the 6th President of Kenya.
"You remember David in the Bible when facing the giant Goliath. He was in tattered clothes, sandals and a sling and he delivered the children of Israel," Wamalwa said, affirming that he has what it takes to become president.
He vowed to finish the race that was stated by both Masinde Muliro and his brother Michael Kijana Wamalwa who died while habouring presidential ambitions.
Muliro, who had teamed up with George Nthenge, Ahmed Bamahiriz, Martin Shikuku, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Wamalwa Kijana, George Kaptein, James Orengo and Musikari Kombo among others, died in August 1992.
Kijana, who became Vice president to Mwai Kibaki, died in 2003.
The young Wamalwa says he is the most suitable to fit into the political shoes of both his elder brother and Muliro.
He called on governors in the Western region to unite through the formation of economic blocks, set aside funds and help realise the dream of making devolution workable.
The former CS who served in the devolution docket noted that the country will achieve more through prudent use of devolved funds.