Opposition leaders end Western Kenya tour with rallies across five counties
Eugene Wamalwa and Kalonzo Musyoka
Three-day United Opposition blitz through Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia builds momentum ahead of Gachagua’s 45-day coalition retreat
By MKT Reporter
Leaders of the United Opposition concluded a three-day political tour of Western Kenya yesterday, holding rallies across Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties as the coalition works to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 general election.
The tour, which began on Friday in Luanda, Vihiga County, brought together Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, Deputy DCP leader Cleophas Malala, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Democratic Action Party–Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, alongside Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and National Assembly Member Justin Muturi. According to organisers, the gathering was designed to demonstrate that politicians from different regional bases and party backgrounds can work together as a single front heading into the next election cycle.
On the opening day, the delegation toured several towns across the region, including Luanda in Vihiga County and the Kisa East and Malava areas of Kakamega County, before holding a night rally at Shikamoli-Makunga in Kakamega. The leaders addressed residents and outlined their political agenda, with the day’s events forming part of a broader push to expand grassroots networks in a region considered crucial to the outcome of the 2027 contest.
On Saturday, the delegation moved into Bungoma County, where a rally hosted by former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi drew large crowds at Ekitale Centre. The event coincided with President William Ruto’s own visit to the region for the launch of Shirikiana Sacco at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega. The simultaneous appearances by the president and opposition leaders in neighbouring counties on the same day underscored what observers describe as a growing contest for Western Kenya’s vote ahead of the next election, with both camps making the case that the so-called Mulembe bloc will be decisive in 2027.
A night rally followed in the Nasianda area of Bungoma, drawing what local reporters described as a substantial crowd despite the cold conditions. Mr Gachagua addressed hundreds of residents gathered at Nasianda and accused President Ruto of undermining the Nzoia Sugar Company. The former deputy president told the crowd that the political fight against the president could not pause simply because night had fallen, framing the late rally itself as evidence of the opposition’s determination to keep pressing its case across the country. He went on to reaffirm his commitment to ensuring that Mr Ruto serves only one term in office, a theme that has become central to the “Wantam” campaign associated with the coalition.
His remarks in Bungoma came a day after he had criticised Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, accusing the two senior Luhya leaders of failing to push for the revival of the Mumias and Nzoia sugar companies and for the completion of around 1,000 kilometres of road projects that had been promised to the Western Kenya region. The criticism appeared aimed at drawing a contrast between the opposition’s positioning on local economic grievances and what Mr Gachagua characterised as inaction by government-aligned leaders from the area.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka also addressed crowds during the tour, continuing his recent pattern of public engagements in the region as the coalition seeks to project unity ahead of decisions on its eventual presidential ticket. While the coalition has not announced who will lead it into the 2027 race, the joint appearances by Mr Gachagua, Mr Musyoka, Mr Wamalwa and Mr Natembeya were widely read as an attempt to project cohesion across the Mt Kenya, Eastern, Western and North Rift regions.
The tour wrapped up on Sunday with a final round of rallies in Kibabii, Chwele, Kitale town, Kiminini, Naitiri and Misikhu, towns that have historically played a significant role in mobilising political support in the North Rift and Bungoma areas. Leaders used the closing stops to address supporters and lay out their agenda for governance reforms and economic transformation ahead of the next general election.
The Western Kenya leg comes just before Mr Gachagua begins a 45-day retreat at his Wamunyoro base, during which the opposition coalition is expected to deliberate on settling on a single presidential flag-bearer and running mate to challenge President Ruto in 2027. Coalition insiders say the outcome of that retreat, more than any single rally, is likely to determine whether the unity on display in Western Kenya this weekend can be sustained into the campaign proper.
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