President William Ruto on Sunday continued to court the Western vote basket by pledging multi-billion-shilling development projects for locals as his allies from the region declared support for his re-election bid.
Speaking in Busia County during the enthronement of the fourth Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Bishop of Katakwa Diocese, Dr Vitalis Job Ekuru, the president outlined major infrastructure projects his government has completed or is implementing across the region. Uganda's Vice-President Jessica Alupo attended the ceremony.
Without directly addressing the growing popularity of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna — who has declared his intention to run for president — Dr Ruto said that Western Kenya would not be left behind in the government's development agenda.
President William Ruto addresses members of the public after attending the the enthronement of Dr Vitalis Job Ekuru as the Bishop of Katakwa Diocese in Busia County on July 26, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
"Western Kenya is part of this country and cannot be left behind while other regions continue to develop," he said.
Dr Ruto cited the construction of roads linking Mundere, Sio Port, Matayos and Funyula, and announced that construction of the 58-kilometre Butula–Nambale–Amukura–Kocholia Road would begin next month.
"I will return next month to launch the project because we have already identified the contractor," he said.
The president also said Kenya and Uganda had agreed to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Malaba to facilitate regional trade and strengthen the economies of both countries.
"I agreed with President Yoweri Museveni that this is a joint project that will ease transport and boost economic growth," he said.
The president further announced plans to construct the Mau Summit–Malaba highway and launch the Malava–Kimaeti–Bungoma Road, adding that the government had allocated Sh5 billion for 225 kilometres of roads in Busia County.
President Ruto said the government had also set aside Sh1.2 billion to expand electricity connectivity in Busia, while 19 new modern markets were under construction to improve business opportunities for traders.
"We have already opened the Amagoro Market and are building 19 more markets so that our traders can operate in clean and well-equipped facilities," he said.
He added that Sh3.6 billion had been allocated for student accommodation projects to improve learning conditions.
As the president addressed the congregation in Busia, top ODM and UDA leaders attending a fundraising event in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County rallied behind Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, declaring him as the preferred running mate for President Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya during a courtesy visit at the Nation Centre in Nairobi on April 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
National Assembly Leader of Minority Junet Mohamed dismissed growing calls for Mr Sifuna to lead Western Kenya. He said that Mr Oparanya remained the region's most senior political figure within ODM.
"People should understand that leadership follows a process. Oparanya is the leader who can guide Western in ODM after Oburu Oginga. If UDA produces the presidential candidate, ODM deserves the DP’s position, and that should go to Oparanya," he said.
"All the money being used to divide ODM belongs to Uhuru Kenyatta, but he will not succeed. He failed to make Raila Odinga president in 2022, he cannot make anyone else president now,"he said.
The Suna East MP said he would focus on strengthening ODM and working within the broad-based government.
For his part, Mr Oparanya dismissed pressure to abandon President Ruto's administration.
"I have been asked to form a new party, but I declined. No leader commanded greater support than Raila Odinga, and today Western Kenya has chosen to work directly with President Ruto's government," he said.
"I have heard people asking me to leave the government and support someone who claims he will form a government I know nothing about. Those leaders don’t know where they are heading. They should respect us, instead of insulting us if they expect our support," he said, adding he remained committed to the political path championed by Raila.
"Projects meant for areas that rejected the government should be brought here, and Oparanya deserves to be DP,” he said.
Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka dismissed Mr Sifuna's campaigns, saying Raila had left Western Kenya in ODM and the broad-based government.
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe questioned why leaders were attempting to create division when Mr Oparanya is best suited for DP in Western Kenya.
