Western leaders in drive to raise voter numbers ahead of the 2027 polls

Leaders from the Western region have embarked on an aggressive voter registration campaign to increase the region's voting strength and position it for national leadership after President William Ruto.

 Led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, the leaders urged residents to take advantage of the continuous voter registration exercise to enlist as voters and strategically position the region for President William Ruto's succession in 2032.

 They are targeting to raise the number of registered voters to 1.5 million in Kakamega county, 1.2 million in Bungoma, 600,000 in Busia, 500,000 in Vihiga and more than 600,000 in Trans Nzoia.

 They argue this will give the region a bargaining strength of more than four million votes by 2032.

 Wetang'ula said political influence would ultimately depend on the region's numbers at the ballot, urging residents to take advantage of the government's decision to make the process of obtaining National Identity Cards free and register as voters.

 The Speaker also encouraged Kenyans living in urban centres to register and vote, saying Western Kenya's voting strength extends beyond the region itself.

 "When we combine the projected voter numbers from our counties with those of our people living in Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa, we can command about six million votes. Those are the numbers that will shape the country's political direction in 2027," Wetang'ula said.

 Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said the voter registration campaign aims to increase Western Kenya's political bargaining power ahead of the 2027 elections and position the region for the post-Ruto era.

 "Once President Ruto completes his constitutional two terms, we shall support one of our own as a region for the presidency," Barasa said.

 The governor argued that the region's support for Ruto had been strengthened by ongoing government development projects, including roads, markets, hospitals and sports infrastructure.

 Budalang'i MP Raphael Wanjala said leaders from the region had resolved to back Ruto's re-election on the understanding that Western Kenya would be considered for the deputy presidency.

 He said the deputy presidency was part of the resolutions reached during consultations involving governors, senators and MPs from the Western region at a meeting in Naivasha last month.

 Butula MP Joseph Oyula also urged Ruto to settle on Wetang'ula as his running mate, arguing that such a move would strengthen the President's re-election prospects.

 The leaders were speaking during a women's empowerment event in Lurambi constituency on Saturday.

 Other leaders who attended the event included MPs Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Geoffrey Odanga (Matayos), Geoffrey Mulanya (Nambale), Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga Woman Representative) and Bungoma Senator David Wakoli.