Ruto will win 2nd term, Mudavadi declares

Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi has exuded confidence that President William Ruto will be re-elected in the 2027 General Election.

Mudavadi said that no serious, development conscious African sitting president seeking reelection had lost such a race, stating it will be a replica of past elections where sitting presidents have gotten the second term in office.

“It happened during late Presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki and currently retired President Uhuru Kenyatta where Kenyans voted for them to serve the second term. Why do you think it will not happen to President William Ruto?” Mudavadi posed on Tuesday, while addressing the press and the residents of western Kenya.

As in previous elections, he went on to say, the opposition will be scattered by the time we reach the 2027 polls.

Mudavadi said this on Tuesday at Tande Secondary School in Malava constituency Kakamega North during a meeting with teachers drawn from the area.

He was in company of Principal Secretary for Basic Education Professor Julius Bitok, his Interior counterpart Raymond Omollo, legislator Fred Ikana (Shinyalu) and Vihiga County Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala.

The PCS observed during the meeting e will not impose a leader on the people of Malava as they prepare to elect a new MP following the death of their legislator early this year.

He called on residents to pick a leader of their choice.

Area Member of Parliament Malulu Injendi who was a member of the ANC party, then led by Mudavadi, died early this year precipitating an impending by-election.

UDA party has attracted at least five candidates including former teachers Simon Kangwana, Enock Andanje, MCA David Ndakwa, Advocate Leonard Shimaka and the late MP’s son Rhyan Injendi.

Others eying the seat on opposition party tickets include Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Secretary General Seth Panyako who will be vying on Democratic Action Party -Kenya, perennial looser Joab Manyasi on DNA and Democracy for Citizens Party candidate lawyer Edgar Busiega

He said the impending by-election was so critical stating it will the country’s political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mudavadi, who is in Kenya Kwanza—which is now working together with ODM through the broad-based government—said the combination was superb and would not be easily defeated.

He narrated to the masses the long journey of a very strong opposition led by Kenneth Matiba, which tried ousting President Moi, and how the “professor of politics,” through his state machinery, tore through and scattered the opposition, leaving each of them to form their own political outfits that could not even withstand the sands of time.

“Let us apply our full intellect to the matters of this country, and we have all missed seeing the bigger picture,” he cautioned.

It is on record that most presidents complete their terms in office in Africa, as they have the advantage of incumbency—where the sitting president enjoys many advantages over first-time contenders, including access to security and state machinery. Statistics indicate that only 6% of presidents on the continent have lost their re-election bids.

He promised that the political turbulences the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is currently facing will ease with time, as more Kenyans come to realize that the opposition is bringing nothing to the table but hatred, propaganda, and personal vendetta.

Locally, Musalia called on Malava residents to nominate a candidate from the government party who will help push for development and the party’s agenda in the constituency. He urged voters to avoid the politics of clannism that continue to shape the upcoming by-election in the area.

“Your interest in choosing the right person is key in shaping this country’s political future, and that is what I am urging you to do—make the right choice as Malava voters,” he said.

He added that the late Malava MP, Malulu Injendi, was Kenya Kwanza, and therefore the people should consider electing a new candidate from the ruling party to continue the government projects previously initiated.

“We as a government have decided not to handpick any candidate to represent you in Parliament, but we are ready to come and campaign for your preferred candidate—the one you will have brought to us,” said Musalia.

Malava UDA is currently embroiled in a fierce political tussle over nominating a single candidate from five aspirants who will face off against the opposition and deliver the seat to the government of the day.

Additional reporting by Wakhungu Andanje.