Opposition leaders have intensified their tour of the Western Kenya region, urging residents to reject both President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the 2027 General Election.
Addressing rallies across the region, the leaders called for unity among Western voters to oust President Ruto, whom they accused of presiding over a regime marked by repression, economic hardship and tribalism. They urged the President to begin preparing to vacate State House, insisting that Kenyans would vote him out.
Wiper Democratic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democracy for Citizens Party’s (DCP) Rigathi Gachagua claimed public sentiment across the country strongly opposes the Ruto administration.
“We have been traversing the country, gauging the mood. The message is clear, Ruto is a one term president. There is growing anger and frustration with his leadership,” said Mr Gachagua.
He accused the government of instigating abductions, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances targeting dissenting voices, all while burdening citizens with excessive taxation that has deepened economic hardship.
The DCP leader further alleged that President Ruto’s administration fosters tribalism, undermining national unity and progress.
“From the Coast to Ukambani, Maasai land, and now Western, the cry is the same, Ruto must go. He has no option but to prepare to leave office,” said Mr Gachagua during a rally in Mumias on the second day of the tour.
Mr Gachagua warned that the opposition would mobilise Gen Z youth to monitor the 2027 elections, promising independent tallying centres to safeguard the vote.
“We will not rely on the IEBC, whose officials are known Ruto sympathisers,” he said.
He also claimed that the President had lost the political support he previously enjoyed in the Mt Kenya region, estimating a loss of four million votes since their fallout and his subsequent impeachment efforts. The former Deputy President apologised for backing Dr Ruto’s 2022 campaign.
“I helped him ascend to the presidency. Now, I’ll help Kenyans remove him,” he said.
The delegation travelled across the region, making stops in Mumias, Ogalo, Butula, Bungoma, Chwele, Kimilili, Kiminini and Kitale.
In Butula, a stronghold of Mr Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement, the leaders appealed to residents to abandon loyalty to the former Prime Minister, arguing that he had failed to deliver development to the region despite consistent electoral support.
“I have supported Raila Odinga in three elections. He receives overwhelming support from Western, but his development focus has always been limited to his Nyanza base,” said Mr Musyoka.
“Through the Gen Z movement, Kenyans had contemplated ending his term prematurely. Granting him a full term until 2027 is an act of restraint. He should be ready to leave without drama when the time comes,” Mr Musyoka added.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i advised youth against violent demonstrations, warning that the government appeared intent on crushing protestors.
“You want to reclaim State House and Parliament, but I urge you to compete through democratic means and aspire to lead, be the change Kenya needs,” said Mr Matiang’i.
DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, who campaigned for President Ruto in 2022, claimed he had delivered significant votes for the head of state in Kakamega but was later side-lined.
“Ruto pushed me out of government. He is smooth-talking but ruthless. Even road projects he commissioned as Deputy President remain incomplete. He must be rejected at the ballot,” Malala declared, while announcing his bid for Kakamega governor in 2027.
Democratic Action Party - Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa condemned the killing of youth during recent protests, claiming 134 had died under President Ruto’s watch.
“Seventy-five youth were killed in 2023, 61 in 2024, and 18 in the most recent demonstrations. This bloodshed must stop. The solution is to remove Ruto in 2027,” said Mr Wamalwa.
He noted that six youths recently killed in the Western region would be buried over the weekend across several counties.
