Western Kenya Leaders Present Demands to Ruto Ahead of 2027 Election
Political activity within the broad-based government is intensifying as leaders from Western Kenya push for key concessions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
A group of legislators from the region has presented President William Ruto with a list of demands they want addressed before offering stronger political backing for his re-election bid.
One of their major demands is the Deputy President position, which they want given to a politician from Western Kenya if Ruto secures a second term. The demand could increase pressure on the current Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, as political parties and regional leaders position themselves ahead of 2027.
The leaders also want Western Kenya to retain its representation in the Parliamentary Service Commission and have stalled government projects in the region completed.
Other priorities include finding lasting solutions to challenges facing the sugar industry, addressing difficulties affecting education funding and expanding electricity connections to areas that remain without power.
The demands were agreed upon during a meeting of Western Kenya MPs held in Kisumu on Monday and organised by Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
Western region MPs' caucus chairperson John Waluke said the region was seeking the Deputy President position but had not endorsed a specific individual to occupy it.
Oparanya said leaders from the region would continue meeting regularly to strengthen their political cooperation and support for President Ruto.
He maintained that the leaders attending the meetings were campaigning for Ruto as he seeks another term in the 2027 election.