Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged Western Kenya residents to stop demanding government development projects and appointments without supporting leaders allied to President William Ruto politically. Speaking in Nyang’ori, Vihiga county, Mudavadi said the region's ability to secure influential positions in government and Parliament depended on electing more leaders aligned with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). He emphasized that without sufficient representation in Parliament, residents could not expect to influence national resource allocation.
Mudavadi accused Western Kenya of weakening its bargaining power through political divisions, which he claimed was being exploited by other political players. He argued that the Executive no longer had the final say in allocating public funds, with Parliament playing a central role in determining how resources were distributed through the national budget. Mudavadi said the region needed to elect enough MPs to secure leadership of influential parliamentary committees, particularly those dealing with Budget, Energy and Education.
The Prime CS challenged lawmakers from Western Kenya to account for the limited number of parliamentary departmental committees chaired by Western MPs. He noted that the region needed to move beyond its representation in oversight committees, citing the example of the Public Accounts committee. Mudavadi also called on residents to elect more UDA representatives to county assemblies, arguing that political influence at the county level was equally important.
Mudavadi's remarks appeared directed at criticism over the pace of development in Western Kenya, with residents and political leaders from the region raising concerns about roads and other infrastructure projects. He revisited his earlier calls for Western residents to support President Ruto, saying some had dismissed his appeal but were now questioning the government's development record in the region.
The Prime CS maintained that President Ruto would seek another term in 2027 and challenged opposition leaders to present a clear alternative. He emphasized that Western Kenya's influence in national resource allocation depended on its representation in Parliament. Mudavadi's comments have sparked a renewed debate about the region's political strategy and its implications for development.
Mudavadi's call for Western Kenya to elect more UDA-aligned leaders has been seen as a bid to strengthen the region's bargaining power in government. He argued that if the region was fragmented and everyone was investing to make sure it was divided, that would make it difficult to secure substantive positions in Parliament. Mudavadi's statement has sparked a mixed reaction, with some residents and leaders welcoming his call for unity and others criticizing his approach.
As the 2027 general elections approach, Mudavadi's comments are likely to intensify the debate about Western Kenya's political strategy and its implications for development. The region's residents and leaders will be watching closely to see how the government's development record in Western Kenya evolves in the coming months. Key issues such as roads, infrastructure projects, and representation in Parliament will likely remain at the forefront of the region's political agenda.
Key points
- Mudavadi urges Western Kenya to elect more UDA-aligned leaders to increase bargaining power in government and Parliament.
- The Prime CS challenges lawmakers from Western Kenya to account for the limited number of parliamentary departmental committees chaired by Western MPs.
- Mudavadi maintains that President Ruto will seek another term in 2027 and challenges opposition leaders to present a clear alternative.
