Inside the big scramble for Western Kenya vote bloc

Western Kenya is promising to be crucial vote-bloc in the next elections with top contenders literally camping in the area with hopes of securing the support of the region.

With two years to the polls, major political players including President William Ruto, ex-DP Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka have shifted their focus to five counties of Mulembe nation.

Ruto last week unleashed his political might and state power in a packed five-day charm offensive to fend off rivals and market his unity government to the region.

The President’s UDA party has also merged with Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC – a strategic move believed is part of the broader scheme to win the region.

Ruto’s tour criticised as early campaign, is the strongest indication that the government has a special focus on the region following a visible decline in support from Mt Kenya, a key region whose vote propelled him to power in 2022.

To counter Ruto’s growing influence in the region, both Gachagua and Kalonzo have taken the battle to Luhya speaking vernacular stations to make a passionate pitch in a highstakes political war for the region’s support.

The two leaders who have signaled working together in 2027 to make Ruto a one-term President, have granted separate interviews to the radio stations just days apart.

Gachagua spoke to the Mulembe nation on Monday while Kalonzo hosted the local stations two days later.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM has also not been left behind, the Orange party has scheduled twin meetings starting this weekend to fortify his foothold as the scramble for the region intensifies.

Speaking to the Mulembe nation, Kalonzo declared that he will not play second fiddle again, insisting it is now time for others to step aside for him.

“I have waited for 20 years. There comes a time when even the world acknowledges that it is your time,” he said.

“The moment has come for others to pave the way for me so we can save this country.”

Kalonzo previously backed Raila’s presidential bids in 2013, 2017 and 2022.

He ran for the presidency in 2007 but lost to Mwai Kibaki before being appointed Vice President in the Grand Coalition Government.

The former Vice President vowed to abolish the housing levy, which he claims has disproportionately burdened salaried Kenyans.

“When we take over, the first executive order I will sign is to scrap the housing levy,” Kalonzo said.

Currently, salaried Kenyans face a heavy tax burden, including a 1.5 per cent deduction from their gross pay for the Housing Levy and a 2.75 per cent deduction for health insurance.

The region will from Sunday also play host to ODM leaders who are determined to lock rivals from its bedrock.

ODM’s aggressive efforts to reclaim his shaky stronghold start this Sunday in Kakamega followed by a 10,000-delegate meeting in Busia on February 28.

The Sunday meeting will bring regional leaders drawn from the five Western counties to deliberate on consolidation of its teams in the face of massive infiltration by rivals.

The counties are Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and Trans Nzoia counties.

“This meeting is organised by Deputy Party leader Godfrey Osotsi to consolidate the ODM teams in the region and prepare them for the upcoming ODM @20 regional delegates to be held in Busia county on February 28,” statement by the party reads.

It will be chaired by acting party leader Anyang’ Nyong’o and attended by ODM top brass including Deputy Party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir and Simba Arati, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and national chairperson Gladys Wanga.

“ODM is the only party with strong grassroots presence in the region and the aim of the meeting is to make it stronger,” ODM Deputy Party leader Godffrey Osotsi said.