The Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, assured President William Ruto that the Luhya community will stand behind his 2027 re-election bid.
In an interview with the Royal Media Services Luhya Cluster Radio Stations on Thursday, Wetangula noted that there is an agreement between Luhya leaders and President Ruto and that there is no supremacy battle in the vote-rich Western region.
”In our region, it is not a contest between Moses Wetangula and Musalia Mudavadi; it is the people who decide. What I know is that we have an arrangement with the President. We supported him in 2022; we are continuing to support him in 2027. And the signs are telling; if you live in this country and you have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is quite clear 2027 is going to be a ride back by President William Ruto, unless we don’t live in Kenya,” Wetangula said, as quoted by Citizen Digital.
Wetangula said the Luhya community will remain strategic in their political decisions and pursue interests based on the development agenda.
”We, as the Luhya Community, where are our best interests served in a setup that will see us cross River Nzoia? Is it the one that will see our boat capsize in the middle of the river? It is up to you to take. In politics, anyone can announce anything, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” he continued.
He hinted at a possible discussion with the Head of State to return the favour by backing a Luhya candidate in the 2032 general election, when the former shall have completed his two terms, should he get reelected.
”We supported President Ruto in 2022, and we are going to support him in 2027. And we have agreed and talked that if he finishes his two terms, he also has a responsibility to support us (Luhya) to succeed him in becoming the head of state. I want to be president, I’m sure Musalia wants to, and many others who want. And I usually say it clearly, when that opportunity is there, if I am the frontrunner, I will lead my brothers; if it is someone else, I will lead those who will follow him. I am not selfish,” Wetangula noted.