Western Kenya politics took centre stage this weekend as National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula renewed his call for Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa to ditch the opposition and join President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration.

Wetangula made the remarks on Saturday, September 19, while attending the funeral of Edward Musombi Munabi at Kapretwa Village, Saboti Ward, in Trans-Nzoia County. Munabi served as a senior member of Wetangula's staff and was a dedicated grassroots mobiliser for the Ford Kenya Party.

Speaking at the funeral, Wetangula publicly urged Wamalwa to abandon his opposition stance and align with Ruto, assuring him of a position in the next government if he moves. He warned that Wamalwa's current political allies in the opposition would eventually betray him.

"Tuko.co.ke reported on September 19 that Speaker Moses Wetangula has publicly urged DAP-Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa to abandon his opposition stance and align with President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration, assuring him of a role in the next government if he moves."

Wetangula used the occasion to call on Western Kenya leaders to unite and speak with one voice in support of the Kenya Kwanza government. He argued that the region had benefited significantly under Ruto compared to the previous administration where they had only one Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa.

"Today we have representation in key offices, including myself as Speaker; Musalia Mudavadi as Prime Cabinet Secretary; Wycliffe Oparanya; Deborah Barasa; and several Principal Secretaries," he said. "If we come together and support the Kenya Kwanza Government, securing one of our own the opportunity to lead this country in 2032 will be within our reach."

The Speaker defended President Ruto's re-election bid, saying Kenyans should evaluate his government's development record and ignore the opposition's 'wantam' - one term - chant. He cited government initiatives in roads, housing, agriculture, energy and irrigation.

He also referenced the Sh18 billion Maili Tisa-Moi's Bridge-Kitale-Makutano-Kapenguria-Turkana road which has faced delays due to political disagreements, according to Standard Media.

But Wamalwa, who spoke at the same funeral on Sunday, September 21, accused the Registrar of Political Parties of frustrating leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement. He pointed out that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino have all encountered obstacles in their attempts to create or register new parties after leaving ODM.

"Should Sifuna feel frustrated, I warmly invite him to join DAP-K, as we share a common goal of forming a new government," Wamalwa stated.

The Linda Mwananchi movement, which has named Sifuna as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, has been rocked by internal infighting in recent weeks.

This is where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua enters. Speaking in the US on Saturday, September 19, Gachagua accused President William Ruto of allegedly directing the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to deliberately sow division within the Linda Mwananchi movement.

"The president is so scared of these young leaders. After the meeting that took place in Jacaranda through the streets of Nairobi, they have panicked and the National Security Council was convened and the National Intelligence Service was instructed to devise ways and means of creating a rift within Linda Mwananchi," Gachagua said, as reported by http://Tuko.co.ke.

Gachagua claimed that Sifuna's supporters have accused Babu Owino of trying to commandeer the coalition, while Babu has denied those claims, maintaining that he is fully backing the senator's presidential bid. The former DP said he had personally reached out to both Sifuna and Babu Owino to alert them about what he described as a coordinated state-sponsored campaign.

He revealed he had lengthy conversations with both leaders separately and urged them to meet urgently to address their supporters, warning that the coalition risks collapse if its leaders do not act swiftly.