Focus on presidency in 2032, stop chasing DP position in 2027, governor Barasa tells Western

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has urged leaders from the Western region to focus on winning the presidency in 2032.

 He asked leaders in the region to abandon the push for the Deputy President position in 2027 and instead unite in supporting President William Ruto’s re-election.

 “We have greatly benefitted from Ruto’s administration, in which we are partners. We will support him as we position ourselves strategically for the top seat in 2032,” Barasa said.

 The governor was speaking during a fundraiser and church service at Eshianda Church of God in Butsotso South, Lurambi constituency. His deputy, Ayub Savula, also attended the event.

 The county boss said the Luhya community had already produced three deputy presidents — Musalia Mudavadi, the late Michael Wamalwa Kijana and Moody Awori — and now wants the top seat after Ruto’s second term.

 “The Luhya community has already served in almost all top positions apart from the presidency. Going forward, we must put our house in order and work towards winning the presidency in 2032,” he said.

 He warned leaders against being distracted by opportunities for a running mate position, saying the community should remain focused on its long-term goal.

 Barasa compared the situation to a hunter looking for a rhino but getting distracted by a passing squirrel.

 Savula urged the Luhya community to support President Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.

 He said backing the President for a second term would place the community in a strategic position to produce a president in 2032.

 “The Luhya community has the numbers and potential to produce Kenya’s next president after Ruto’s tenure, and we shall be there in 2032,” Savula said.

 He also pointed to development projects implemented under the Kenya Kwanza administration, saying they would influence voting patterns across the Western region.

 He expressed confidence that President Ruto would receive overwhelming support from voters in the region during the 2027 General Election.

 In February this year, while speaking during an ODM delegates’ meeting in Mombasa on February 12, Oburu Oginga said they would negotiate for the deputy president’s position in their talks with UDA.

 “That seat is what we are targeting very strongly,” Oburu said.

 He argued that ODM’s national popularity and widespread support justified its demand for a powerful position in any political coalition it joins. He claimed the party deserved its “fair share” in government based on its political influence and voter base.

 Oburu’s statement contradicted his earlier assurance to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on the matter.

 “We are not going to look for less. But Deputy President, do not think that we want your seat or that we want to remove you from your position. You are our friend,” Oburu said in Kisumu county during the disbursement of NYOTA funds.

 Later, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku told ODM that the deputy president’s position was not open for negotiation ahead of the 2027 General Election.

 Ruku insisted that Kindiki remains firmly in place and would retain the position through the next electoral cycle.

 “Just the other day, I heard ODM leader Senator Oburu Oginga say they want the deputy president’s position come 2027,” Ruku said.

 He emphasised that leaders from the Mt Kenya region support the current broad-based government arrangement and are focused on service delivery rather than political bargaining.

 “We want to tell him that from where we stand in this region, we agreed that we and ODM are in a broad-based government. We will continue working together under President William Ruto to strengthen national unity and ensure the government delivers services to wananchi,” he said.

 Ruku, who was speaking in Embu, however, made it clear that the power-sharing framework does not include reopening the deputy president’s position.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa argued the region should consolidate support behind President William Ruto’s re-election bid while building future leverage. The remarks reflect ongoing coalition positioning within Kenya Kwanza and ODM discussions over power-sharing, particularly the deputy president slot. Western leaders cite past national representation to justify presidential ambitions.