Luhya Community Not Ready for 2027 Presidency Bid, Says Governor Lusaka

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has said the Luhya community is not yet prepared to mount a serious bid for the presidency in the 2027 General Election, arguing that the political and financial demands of unseating an incumbent president are currently beyond the community’s reach.

Speaking at St Patrick’s Naitiri High School in Tongaren Constituency while presenting development funds on behalf of President William Ruto, Lusaka said defeating a sitting president requires immense political capital, nationwide structures, and substantial financial resources.

“For anyone to beat President Ruto in 2027, you must have both political and financial muscle,” Lusaka said. “Tell me, among our Luhya brothers and sisters, who has the financial capacity to run a nationwide campaign and create political euphoria across the country?”

The governor maintained that the most pragmatic path for the Luhya community is to work with President Ruto’s administration, consolidate influence within government, and build the political and economic strength necessary for a future presidential bid.

“The best option now is to align with President Ruto, gain experience, resources, and national networks so that when he retires in 2032, the Mulembe nation will be ready to take a serious shot at the presidency,” he said.

Lusaka described the approach as a strategic decision rather than surrender, warning that premature ambition could undermine the community’s long-term political interests.

“A tactical retreat is not cowardice; it is a strategy in war. Let us not mislead our people and end up performing miserably,” he cautioned.

The governor, who also serves as the Western Kenya coordinator for President Ruto’s re-election campaign, expressed confidence that the Head of State would secure a second term in the 2027 polls.

To reinforce his argument, Lusaka cited past political experiences, including the late Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa’s unsuccessful presidential bid, which he attributed to insufficient political and financial backing.

“Even the late Wamalwa Kijana vied and lost because he lacked the necessary financial and political muscle,” Lusaka said.

Lusaka’s remarks are likely to spark debate within the Luhya community, where discussions about political unity and a possible future presidential bid have gained momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election.