1. HOW WESTERN REGION VOTED FOR WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO IN 2022

Let us begin by reminding ourselves of the political reality of the 2022 General Election.

The four counties of Western Kenya gave William Samoei Ruto the following support:

County | Ruto's votes (%)

• Bungoma | 63.16%
• Vihiga | 36.69%
• Kakamega | 28.02%
• Busia | 17.63%

Ranking from the highest to the lowest support.

Bungoma was the strongest county for Ruto, giving him more than 63% of its valid presidential votes. Vihiga followed at approximately 37%, Kakamega at 28%, while Busia gave him approximately 18%.

The message is clear: Western Kenya was not among President Ruto's strongest political support bases in 2022. Nevertheless, the region has continued to enjoy significant representation in the national government and investments in development.

2. WESTERN KENYA'S REPRESENTATION IN THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

Consider some of the senior leadership positions occupied by leaders from our region.

A. The highest levels of national leadership

1. Rt. Hon. Moses Masika Wetang'ula –

Bungoma County: Speaker of the National Assembly. He presides over one of the two Houses of Parliament and occupies a significant position in the country's constitutional leadership.

2. H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi – Vihiga County:

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. He coordinates government business in his capacity as Prime Cabinet Secretary and oversees Kenya's foreign relations and diaspora affairs.

3. Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya – Kakamega County:

Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development. His docket is particularly important to the economic empowerment of ordinary Kenyans, including farmers, traders and small-scale entrepreneurs.

These are not insignificant positions. They demonstrate the inclusion of Western Kenya in the country's national leadership.

B. Other important government appointments

President Ruto's administration has also entrusted various other leaders with responsibilities in the national government.

The most notable examples include:

• - Hon. James Opiyo Wandayi: Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, from Siaya County, in the wider western Kenya region.
• - Hon. Beatrice Askul Moe: Cabinet Secretary for East African Community and Regional Affairs, from Turkana County.
• - Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya

The region's representation should also be assessed through Principal Secretaries, ambassadors, high commissioners, board appointments and other public service opportunities.

C. Diplomatic representation

Consider the appointment of:

• Ambassador Ababu Namwamba- from Busia County, as Kenya's High Commissioner to Uganda.
• Hon. Susan Mang'eni- PS,
• Hon. Bonface Makokha- PS,
• Hon. Arthur Amugo Osiyo - PAS,
• Hon. Kangwana Simon- Education Attache from among others

This is an important diplomatic assignment in a neighbouring country with which Kenya shares substantial trade, education, cultural and economic interests.

His appointment demonstrates the confidence placed in a son of Western Kenya to represent the Republic of Kenya internationally.

The appointment is particularly significant because Uganda is an important trading partner for our region, especially Busia and Bungoma, which have substantial cross-border commercial activities.

Western Kenya must therefore appreciate that national leadership is not only about positions held by elected politicians. It is also about the opportunities available to professionals, technocrats, diplomats and other qualified citizens.

3. REVIVAL OF THE SUGAR INDUSTRY: A LIFELINE FOR WESTERN KENYA

If there is one sector that deserves special attention when discussing President Ruto's development agenda in Western Kenya, it is the sugar industry.

For years, sugarcane farmers in Western Kenya endured serious challenges associated with the collapse, mismanagement and financial difficulties of major sugar factories.

Factories that once sustained thousands of households became sources of frustration for farmers and workers.

Today, the government has undertaken significant interventions to revive the sugar sector.

Consider the following:

• - Mumias Sugar Factory: Resumed receiving sugarcane from farmers in December 2023, with a commitment to weekly farmer payments at the time of reopening.
• - Nzoia Sugar Factory: Its operations were handed over to a private investor in 2025, and crushing resumed in January 2026.
• - Sony Sugar: Its operations were handed over to Busia Sugar Industry Limited as part of the government's sugar-sector restructuring.
• - Chemelil and Muhoroni: Also underwent leasing arrangements and resumed cane crushing under new operators.

These interventions have created renewed opportunities for farmers, transporters, factory employees, suppliers and other businesses that depend on the sugar industry.

Nzoia Sugar, for example, reported paying farmers more than KSh 700 million following its operational resumption in 2026.

We must, however, acknowledge that the sector continues to experience challenges, including inadequate cane supply and temporary factory shutdowns. Revival must therefore be accompanied by sustainable cane production, reliable markets and timely payment of farmers.

The important question is this: Should Western Kenya forget the significance of reviving an industry that supports thousands of households?

4. SUBSIDISED FERTILISER: RELIEF TO THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY

Western Kenya is predominantly an agricultural region.

Our people depend on maize, sugarcane, beans, dairy farming, horticulture and other agricultural activities for their livelihoods.

Consequently, the cost of farm inputs directly affects household incomes.

Under the fertiliser subsidy programme, the price of a 50-kilogram bag declined from approximately KSh 7,500 to KSh 2,500.

That represents a saving of KSh 5,000 per bag.

For a farmer purchasing four bags, this translates into a saving of KSh 20,000.

That money can be redirected towards school fees, food, medical expenses and other household needs.

The government's 2026/2027 Budget Statement also reports a substantial expansion in fertiliser distribution under the subsidy programme.

For a region whose economy depends heavily on agriculture, such interventions deserve recognition.

5. ELECTRICITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Access to electricity is a critical component of rural transformation.

Electricity enables households to improve their living standards while creating opportunities for businesses, institutions, entrepreneurs and small-scale industries.

The expansion of electricity connections and investment in the national power grid should be recognised as important development priorities for Western Kenya.

We should also assess investments in roads, bridges, water projects, schools, health facilities and other public infrastructure.

Development must not be measured only by the number of political appointments. It must also be measured by how government interventions improve the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

6. THE POLITICAL QUESTION: WHAT DOES WESTERN KENYA WANT IN 2027?

Here is the question I wish to put before the people of Bungoma, Vihiga, Kakamega and Busia.

If a region that gave President William Ruto relatively low electoral support in 2022 has nevertheless benefited from national leadership appointments, agricultural interventions, industrial revival and infrastructure investments, what should its political response be in 2027?

Should we continue with the politics of political hostility, or should we reconsider our political choices based on development, economic opportunities and the leadership available to us?

I believe Western Kenya must make a deliberate political decision.

We cannot demand inclusion in national leadership and simultaneously refuse to build a constructive political partnership with the leadership of the day.

We cannot demand development and ignore the importance of working with the national government.

We cannot celebrate appointments of our sons and daughters while dismissing the leadership that facilitated their inclusion.

7. MY APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN KENYA

My appeal to the people of Bungoma, Vihiga, Kakamega and Busia is simple.

Let us assess President William Samoei Ruto's leadership on the basis of policies, performance, appointments, economic opportunities and development.

Let us look beyond political emotions, personalities and historical political loyalties.

Let us ask ourselves what kind of political partnership will best position Western Kenya for the future.

My political proposition is that Western Kenya should target 60%+1 support for President William Samoei Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

This should not be a demand for blind political loyalty. It should be a conscious decision based on an assessment of the benefits of national inclusion, development and the opportunities available to our people.

We must also continue demanding accountability, better services, more investments and equitable distribution of national resources.

President Ruto should not take Western Kenya's support for granted. He must continue demonstrating through tangible results that the region's interests matter.

Equally, Western Kenya should not take national inclusion for granted. Political relationships must be built on mutual trust, engagement and reciprocity.

We remember how we voted in 2022.

We also remember the political appointments, the revival of industries, the agricultural interventions and the development opportunities that have come during this administration.

2027 presents another opportunity to make a political statement.

WESTERN KENYA, LET US THINK, REFLECT AND MAKE A STRATEGIC POLITICAL CHOICE!

WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO 2027!

60%+1 FROM WESTERN KENYA!