Musalia Mudavadi launches Magharibi Movement ahead of 2027 polls

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has launched a Western region political outfit to drum up support for the re-election of President William Ruto.

The Magharibi Movement, which encompasses political and community leaders from Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia, seeks to give the people a stronger platform to shape the region’s future. It will also be used as a campaign machinery to mobilise massive support for President William Ruto’s second and final term as Kenya’s President.

Mudavadi, who was speaking at Kakamega School during the launch, assured Kenyans that President William Ruto would win the 2027 General Election, saying there was no stronger opposition that could garner more votes than the broad-based formation.

“The last election, the late Raila Odinga, who was the fiercest opposition, had 6.5 million votes against William Ruto, who had 7.5 million, which now combined amounts to 14 million. And it was only Raila who was a threat to William Ruto and who has been a strong opposition in Kenyan history. But what we are witnessing now as opposition is sheer baby play, as it was disorganised, disoriented, disconnected and dishonest, and which will hardly get five million votes,” he said.

At the same time, he encouraged Tutam supporters to be free to campaign and adorn UDA and ODM regalia, saying the broad-based formation was sure of winning the coming 2027 polls with a landslide.

“Western Kenya’s future cannot be defined by elections every five years but must be built every day through stronger representation, development and opportunities that improve people’s lives.”

“This journey has begun with representatives from 12 sub-counties in Kakamega, building a grassroots network that will support President William Samoei Ruto’s re-election in 2027, while pursuing an agenda that extends well beyond the ballot. Our first mission is clear: get more people registered to vote, as political influence begins with participation, and a stronger voter base gives Western Kenya a stronger voice in determining leadership, influencing national priorities and securing its rightful place in Kenya’s development.”

He called on Western Kenya residents to register in large numbers to shape the region’s political future.

He said it was evident that Western Kenya’s story must be told through results, roads that connect its people, hospitals that save lives, industries that create jobs and investments that put money in wananchi’s pockets.

The PCS took a swipe at opposition leaders who were blaming him for their failure to deliver development, noting that his being in government had nothing to do with failed development, as alleged by them. He challenged them to take responsibility for their failed bids to bring development to their people and not drag his name into their failed endeavours.

On development, he lauded the Government for constructing a dual carriageway on the Mau Summit-Malaba road, which the former regime had termed economically unviable.

He said that, with the completion of the road and the Standard Gauge Railway to the Coast already in place, trade with neighbouring countries would thrive and open the region to even greater economic growth.

With Uganda having more than 50 million people, the Democratic Republic of Congo more than 100 million, and South Sudan and Burundi also set to benefit, he said the two projects would boost trade and generate more revenue for the country. He said this called for support for President William Ruto’s second term to enable the Government to complete the projects.

He cautioned the region against supporting leaders who were opposed to its development so that they could make the people dependent on them in return for votes.

“This region has been neglected for long, and thanks to the Government of the day, which has initiated a beehive of projects meant to unlock its economic potential. That is why there is a lot of vote hunting here, as the people are being empowered to support the current Government, to the disappointment of the opposition.”

Earlier, the PCS, together with governors Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega County), Ken Lusaka (Bungoma), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga) and Paul Otuoma (Busia), held an open conversation on the progress being made across the region.

During their conversation, it was disclosed that major road projects had stalled before President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza Government assumed office in 2022.

He said he had made tremendous efforts to get development back on track.

“My efforts have paid off. As of today, the Mago-Mululu, Mbale-Mbihe, Ibokolo-Indangalasia, Lunza-Shiraha, Ikonyero-Akatsa and Kakamega-Navakholo-Musikoma roads are progressing, reconnecting communities and opening up markets,” he revealed.

He added that the development footprint had extended further, with serious work advancing at Kidundu Stadium in Vihiga, Busia Stadium, Kakamega Stadium and Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma, alongside investment in Vihiga County Referral and Teaching Hospital, Kakamega Level Six Hospital and the planned Bungoma Level Six Hospital.

Mudavadi further reported that connectivity was also receiving a major boost through upgrades at Busia Airstrip in Nasewa, Webuye Matulo Airstrip, Kakamega Airstrip and Kitale Airstrip, making it easier to move people, goods and investment across the region.

The Government’s efforts are also directed at creating jobs and putting more money into local economies, with Nzoia Sugar back in production, supporting 3,000 jobs and 15,000 farmers, while County Aggregation and Industrial Parks are taking shape at Luanda in Vihiga, Likuyani in Kakamega, Sang’alo in Bungoma and Nasewa in Busia.

He said the cotton industry was also being revived, with the Luanda Cotton Cooperative Ginnery in Muluanda, Busia, investment in new ginning machines, solar-powered processing and BT cotton seeds helping to lower production costs and rebuild opportunities for farmers.

He observed that, with such developments, jobs for young people, better markets for farmers, stronger businesses and improved services for wananchi would become available.

“Western Kenya is moving, and our task now is to accelerate the momentum and ensure development reaches every household,” he said.