A section of leaders from Western Kenya has intensified calls for President William Ruto to name National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula as his running mate in the 2027 General Election.
They argued that the region's numerical strength and political unity warrant the position.
The leaders, led by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and more than 15 MPs, said they had settled on Wetang'ula as Western Kenya's preferred deputy presidential candidate in 2027 and its presidential flag bearer in 2032, after President Ruto completes his second and final term.
Speaking during a women empowerment programme in Lurambi Constituency on Saturday, Barasa said leaders from the region had resolved to fully back Ruto's re-election while positioning Wetang'ula for the country's top seat in the next electoral cycle.
"As the people of Western Kenya, we have identified our own leader, and that leader is Moses Masika Wetang'ula. He is equal to the task. After we re-elect President William Ruto in 2027, we expect the presidency to come to Western Kenya in 2032," Barasa said.
He said ongoing government development projects had strengthened support for the Kenya Kwanza administration across the region.
"In Kakamega County alone, the President is completing Bukhungu Stadium and Kakamega Level Six Hospital, stalled roads are back on course, and electricity connectivity continues to expand. These projects have made it easier for us to popularise President Ruto's re-election," he said.
Barasa also announced an ambitious voter registration drive targeting about four million votes for President Ruto in the next General Election.
He said Kakamega aims to register 1.5 million voters, Bungoma 1.2 million, Busia 600,000, Vihiga 500,000 and Trans Nzoia more than 600,000.
"If we achieve these targets, Western Kenya will deliver about four million votes to President Ruto in 2027," he said.
Lurambi MP Titus Khamala said he had shifted his political support from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to Wetang'ula.
"I devoted my energy to supporting Musalia Mudavadi's presidential bid, but that chapter is behind us. I now believe Moses Wetang'ula is the leader capable of delivering the presidency for our region," Khamala said.
Budalang'i MP Raphael Wanjala said leaders had agreed during consultations involving governors, senators and MPs in Naivasha to support President Ruto's re-election on the understanding that Western Kenya would produce the Deputy President.
Butula MP Joseph Oyula also urged Ruto to pick Wetang'ula as his running mate, arguing that the move would bolster the President's chances of securing a second term.
Responding to the endorsements, Wetang'ula challenged residents to intensify voter registration, saying political influence is determined by numbers.
"The Bible teaches that leadership is determined through the ballot. We are urging all eligible Kenyans to acquire national identity cards and register as voters. The government has already made the process of obtaining IDs free," he said.
The Speaker added that Western Kenya could command up to six million votes by factoring in residents living in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa and other parts of the country.
"When we combine the projected voter numbers from our counties with those of our people living outside the region, we can command about six million votes. Those are the numbers that will shape the country's political direction in 2027," he said.
At a separate church fundraiser in Teso South Constituency, leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration reiterated their support for President Ruto's re-election and backed Wetang'ula's political ambitions beyond 2027.
