Western Kenya Members of Parliament (MPs) have handed President William Ruto a list of political and development demands as they seek to rally the region behind his bid for a second term in the 2027 General Election.
At the heart of their demands is the Deputy President’s position, which the lawmakers want reserved for Western Kenya, alongside the retention of the region’s seat in the Parliamentary Service Commission.
They are also pushing for the completion of stalled government projects, intervention in the sugar sector, action on the education funding crisis and expansion of electricity coverage across the region.
The demands were agreed during a meeting of Western MPs in Kisumu on Monday, organised by Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
On the Deputy President’s position, the MPs declared: “As the Western community, we demand the seat of the Deputy President to deputise His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto in the next general election.”
Western Parliamentary Group Caucus chairperson John Waluke said the MPs were demanding the position on behalf of the region without endorsing a particular individual.
Sirisia MP John Waluke speaking during a consultative meeting bringing together elected and nominated leaders from Western Kenya at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu on September 7, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
The position marks a shift from their stance in May, when they endorsed Mr Oparanya for the Deputy President’s position.
The MPs also demanded that Western Kenya retain its representation in the Parliamentary Service Commission.
“We also demand that the position held by Hon. Rachael Ameso in the Parliamentary Service Commission be retained in Western Region,” they said.
The lawmakers called for the completion of stalled government projects across the region and urged the President to extend tax measures benefiting hawkers to other workers.
They also called for government intervention in the sugar sector while rejecting the Crop Amendment Bill.
“The Government should also look into issues affecting the sugar sector. However, we wish to reiterate that we reject in total the Crop Amendment Bill,” the MPs said.
The lawmakers further demanded action on the education funding crisis, which they said was hurting students, particularly those from poor families.
They called for coordinated voter registration and mobilisation campaigns led by MPs, while urging the Ministry of Energy to extend electricity coverage to unconnected areas and address persistent power outages.
“We are going to have regular meetings to prepare ourselves for the next general elections. All the leaders you see here are campaigning for President Ruto’s second term,” he said.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development Wycliffe Oparanya addresses elected and nominated leaders from Western Kenya during a consultative meeting at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu on September 7, 2026, where leaders endorsed President William Ruto’s bid for a second term and discussed regional political and development priorities.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Twenty-two MPs attended Monday’s meeting, while five others sent apologies, citing engagements outside the country.
Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala said Western Kenya had earned the right to seek the Deputy President’s position because of its long-standing support for ODM and the late Raila Odinga.
“People are abusing us that we don’t have a stand, but the Luhya community has been behind the late Raila Odinga since 2002. Even in 2013 when Musalia Mudavadi was running for president, we still voted for Raila because we believed in him,” he said.
Mr Wanjala said Western leaders had agreed to pursue the Deputy President’s position in any coalition arrangement involving ODM.
The demands come as President Ruto’s allies intensify efforts to consolidate his support in Western Kenya, a region that remains politically pivotal ahead of the 2027 elections.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Cotu-K Secretary-General Francis Atwoli met UDA aspirants from Western over the weekend to strategise on strengthening the party’s presence in the region.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula have also formed a joint campaign team covering Western and Nyanza to mobilise support for Dr Ruto.
Western Kenya has 33 parliamentary constituencies across Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Vihiga counties.
