Wetang’ula made the remarks during a meeting with Bukusu, Sabaot and Teso elders from Kimilili Constituency at Maeni Ward, where they discussed the political future of Western Kenya and the region’s place in national leadership.
The Speaker said Western Kenya had a historic opportunity to produce the country’s next president after Ruto completes his second term in office in 2032.
“I emphasised that Western region has a historic opportunity to produce Kenya’s President in 2032, following the completion of President William Ruto’s second term,” Wetang’ula said.
He called on communities in the region to unite behind a common political strategy, arguing that coordinated support for Ruto could strengthen Western Kenya’s prospects in the next presidential succession.
“To realise this ambition, I called on our communities to adopt a strategic and united political approach, including supporting President Ruto’s re-election bid in the hope of securing his support for a presidential candidate from our region in 2032,” he said.
The remarks place Wetang’ula’s presidential ambitions within the political calculations surrounding Ruto’s re-election campaign and the search for a successor ahead of the 2032 General Election.
His proposed strategy rests on the expectation that supporting Ruto in 2027 could help Western Kenya secure political backing for one of its own candidates five years later.
However, Ruto’s support for a Western Kenya presidential candidate in 2032 has not been confirmed in the statement.
Wetang’ula banks on political experience to pursue State House
Wetang’ula also thanked elders and communities in Western Kenya for supporting him throughout his political career, saying the relationships he had built over the years would be important as he pursued his presidential ambitions.
“I expressed my sincere gratitude to the elders and communities for their unwavering support throughout my political journey,” he said.
The Speaker pointed to his experience in politics and national leadership, alongside his relationships across the country, as assets he intends to rely on in the years leading up to 2032.
“The experience I have gained over the years, coupled with the national networks and friendships I have built, will be instrumental as I continue to pursue my 2032 presidential ambition,” Wetang’ula said.
His remarks signal an intention to draw on his national political networks and long-standing relationships as he seeks to build support for a future presidential campaign.
Wetang’ula raises concern over 380,000 unregistered voters in Bungoma
The Speaker also raised concerns over voter registration in Bungoma County, saying approximately 380,000 residents who possess national identity cards had not registered as voters.
He urged eligible residents to register, warning that voter apathy and low registration numbers could undermine the county’s political influence.
“On voter registration, I raised concern that approximately 380,000 residents in Bungoma County who possess national identity cards were yet to register as voters,” he said.
Wetang’ula called on residents to take advantage of ongoing voter registration efforts, saying the county needed to increase its numbers to reach a target of one million registered voters.
“I urged our people to take advantage of the ongoing registration efforts, noting that voter apathy and low registration numbers remain a major challenge to our target of reaching one million registered voters in the county,” he said.
He stressed that voter registration was essential to strengthening the region’s participation in elections and its ability to influence national political decisions.
“Our numbers matter, and every eligible citizen must play their part in shaping our democratic future,” Wetang’ula said.
The voter registration figures cited by the Speaker were not independently verified in the statement provided.
Kimilili elders endorse Abdul Aziz Mulama for parliamentary seat
Meanwhile, elders at the meeting endorsed Hon. Abdul Aziz Mulama as the Ford Kenya candidate for the Kimilili parliamentary seat, currently held by Didmus Barasa.
Barasa is eyeing the Bungoma gubernatorial seat, setting the stage for a potentially competitive contest for the parliamentary position if he proceeds with his bid for county leadership.
The elders’ endorsement signals support for Mulama within the community, although the final party nomination and election outcome remain subject to the applicable political and electoral processes.
The meeting brought together Bukusu, Sabaot and Teso elders to discuss the region’s political direction, voter registration and representation in national leadership.
Wetang’ula’s message was that Western Kenya must unite politically, expand its voter base and build strategic alliances if it hopes to position itself to produce Kenya’s president in 2032.
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