𝐋𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟐 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕

Bungoma Governor and President William Ruto's Western Region Re-election Coordinator, Kenneth Lusaka, has declared that the Mulembe Nation's political ambition is no longer the Deputy President's office but the Presidency, saying Western Kenya is positioning itself to produce the country's fifth President in 2032.

Speaking during a Kenya Kwanza Western Two-Term Brigade empowerment forum in Kiminini, Lusaka said the region possesses the population, leadership capacity, and political goodwill necessary to succeed President William Ruto after the completion of his second term.

"We do not want the Deputy President's position. The Mulembe Nation has produced three Deputy Presidents. What we want now is the Presidency in 2032," Lusaka declared.

The forum, which saw support extended to local matatu operators through the acquisition of a Nissan matatu, also served as a platform for mobilizing support for President Ruto's re-election in 2027 while laying the groundwork for a Western Kenya presidential bid in 2032.

Lusaka urged leaders from the region to put aside political rivalries and unite behind a common strategy that would strengthen Western Kenya's influence in national politics and position it favourably in the next succession debate.

"The Western region has the numbers, the leadership capacity and the political goodwill to produce Kenya's next President after President Ruto completes his term. But this can only happen if we remain united and strategic," he said.

The governor cautioned leaders aligned with the opposition against being swayed by promises of the Deputy President's position, arguing that such arrangements would only advance individual political interests at the expense of the region's broader aspirations.

"Some leaders want to use the Mulembe Nation's numbers for their personal political interests. This time, we must sit together, remain united and support one of our own for the presidency in 2032," Lusaka said.

He further called on residents of Western Kenya to overwhelmingly support President Ruto's re-election in 2027, citing ongoing development projects and increased government engagement in the region.

"No meaningful development comes from the opposition. Our region stands to benefit more by supporting President Ruto and working with the government," he added.

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, who serves as Lusaka's deputy in the Western Region coordination team, echoed the sentiments, accusing opposition leaders of attempting to exploit the region's voting bloc through promises that do not advance the community's long-term political interests.

"We have already begun laying the foundation for a Luhya presidency in 2032. The first step is ensuring President Ruto secures a second term in office in 2027," Savula said.

Host MP Kakai Bisau said the region's quest for greater political influence and development would be strengthened by remaining firmly within government and supporting President Ruto's re-election.

"The surest path to a Luhya presidency in 2032 is by standing with President Ruto in 2027. Our support today will strengthen our case tomorrow," Bisau said.

Other leaders who attended the forum included Dan Wanyama, Beatrice Adagala, Charles Gimose, Mary Emase, Fred Ikana and Consolata Wakwabubi, who jointly rallied support for President Ruto's 2027 re-election campaign and the region's presidential ambitions in 2032.