Mudavadi made the remarks during a televised interview on Sunday night, August 23, 2026, as he outlined his political plans beyond the 2027 General Election.
The senior Kenya Kwanza politician said his political interest is firmly focused on the country’s top seat, drawing a clear distinction between his support for President William Ruto in 2027 and his own presidential ambitions for 2032.
“I am not asking to be a running mate. 2032, I am saying is my interest for the presidency,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi further insisted that he was not seeking the running mate position in the 2027 presidential election.
“I’m not speaking about 2027. I have made it very categorical that I am supporting William Ruto,” he said.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary said his support for Ruto's bid for a second term was a deliberate political decision and was not dependent on being rewarded with a government position.
“My support for him is not conditional on a position,” Mudavadi stated.
Mudavadi says he is qualified for the presidency
Mudavadi has previously indicated that he considers himself well positioned to take over the presidency after Ruto's second term.
In July, he told leaders and residents in Western Kenya that the region should look beyond the Deputy President position and prepare to pursue what he described as the “ultimate prize” — the presidency.
He also highlighted his experience in national leadership, including his previous service as Kenya's Vice President, arguing that his political experience puts him in a strong position to seek the country's highest office.
“I was the Vice President in 2002 when I served under the late Rtd President Daniel Arap Moi, and later my brother Kijana Wamalwa occupied the seat before Moody Awori serving in the same capacity,” Mudavadi said in July.
He added that Western Kenya should prepare itself to pursue the presidency in 2032.
“We now want to prepare ourselves for the ultimate prize which is the President’s seat,” he said.
Mudavadi's latest declaration places him among a growing list of senior politicians who have begun positioning themselves for the 2032 succession battle, despite the 2027 General Election still being ahead.
Supports Ruto in 2027
Despite declaring his 2032 ambition, Mudavadi maintained that his immediate political priority is supporting President Ruto's re-election bid in 2027.
He said the two political positions should not be confused, insisting that he can support Ruto's second-term bid while preparing to compete for the presidency five years later.
Mudavadi also defended Deputy President Kithure Kindiki amid growing speculation over who could feature as Ruto's running mate in 2027.
“As far as I’m concerned, the position is not vacant. DP Kindiki is in place. He’s doing a good job. He’s working for the President and working for the country,” Mudavadi said.
His declaration is likely to intensify political conversations within Kenya Kwanza and particularly in Western Kenya, where several senior leaders have already expressed interest in the 2032 presidency.
With Mudavadi now openly ruling out the role of running mate and setting his sights on State House, the race to succeed Ruto is already beginning to take shape long before the 2032 election.
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