WETANG’ULA DECLARES PRESIDENTIAL BID

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has declared his ambition to succeed President William Ruto as Kenya’s sixth head of state. Speaking in Bumula, Bungoma County, on Sunday, September 21, 2025, Wetang’ula said he is prepared to contest for the presidency once Ruto completes his tenure. “I want to be the president of Kenya. Masinde Muliro passed on when he was close to power, as did Wamalwa Kijana. After Muliro’s death, it took us 10 years to find a leader in Wamalwa. When Wamalwa passed away, it took me another 10 years to reach where I am today,” he said, recalling past Luhya leaders near attempts at the presidency.

The former senator, who has been a strong supporter of President Ruto’s second-term bid, praised the Head of State’s development agenda, economic stabilization efforts, and inclusive governance. He reiterated his plan to back Ruto in 2027 while consolidating his political base for a 2032 presidential run.

“When you want to lead, you must let others climb on your shoulders so that when your time comes, they will also lift you up. For us as the Luhya community, the dream of producing a president will be tested in the 2027 elections. We will support William Ruto, and when he completes his term, I will be ready to take over. By then, the field will be open,” he declared.

Wetang’ula underscored the importance of unity in Western Kenya, urging leaders to speak with one voice as other regions do. “In Nyanza, Raila Odinga is respected. In Rift Valley, Ruto commands authority, and Kalonzo Musyoka has the support of the Kamba community. But here at home, we often lack that unity. We must learn to support each other if we want to achieve our dream,” he said.

His call for solidarity was reinforced by former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga, who emphasized that unity is the community’s greatest bargaining tool.

“The only currency we have as a region is our unity. If we fail to speak the same language, we will be doomed. Unity is the only way we can defend our interests and have influence at the national level,” Mabonga stated.