Inside opposition hard task to snatch Western from Ruto, Raila

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Bungoma county during the meet the people tour in Western region /HANDOUT

The united opposition is increasingly findings itself walking a political tightrope in Western Kenya in their renewed bid to snatch the area from the firm grip of President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

The opposition led by DCP boss Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been courting the region that is only second to Central Kenya on the voting strength.

Other members of the team include ex-Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Martha Karua (PLP) and Justin Muturi (DP).

All Luhya counties account for 2.6 million voters according to 2022 Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission voter’s register.

Raila’s recent move to sign a cooperation agreement with President Ruto has triggered a political shake-up, with the opposition now eyeing a significant share of the coastal vote.

Gachagua and Kalonzo are banking on solid support from Western to strengthen their coalition and mount a serious challenge to make Ruto a one-term president.

However, the task ahead appears more daunting than expected.

For instance, during the two days forays, the team failed to attract any elected leader save for Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya signaling how the region leadership is watching the Gachagua, Kalonzo camp with disdain.

The situation is further complicated by emergence of youthful aspirants like Mumias East MP Peter Salasyia demanding fresh leadership spoiling the party for the opposition heavyweights.

Ruto’s strategic appointments and targeted development projects in the region have tightened his grip, leaving the opposition struggling to counter his influence.

The President has given the region three Cabinet Secretaries slots, National Assembly speaker seat, a number of Principal Secretaries positions as well as several other high-level government appointments.

Some of the Cabinet Secretaries from the region include Musalia Mudavadi (PCS and Foreign Affairs), Deborah Barasa (Environment) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives).

From plum appointments to visible road and market upgrades, Ruto has steadily built political capital that is proving hard to reverse overnight.

Key leaders in the region, once staunch opposition allies, now openly back the Kenya Kwanza administration, complicating the narrative for Gachagua and his team.

While the opposition banks on voter discontent over unfulfilled national promises, the optics on the ground tell a different story, Ruto’s interventions in the region have created a sense of progress that his allies are quick to flaunt.

Watchers now say without a compelling economic message and a clear roadmap for youth inclusion, the opposition risks merely preaching to a dwindling choir.

“Ever since Hon Raila Odinga joined broad-based government, the opposition wing has remained weak,” Sirisia MP John Waluke told the Star.

Waluke also chairs the Western Members of Parliament caucus.

On Friday, the opposition continued wooing the area even as they dissuade the region from allowing themselves to be misused by both President Ruto and ODM boss Raila.

The former DP said both Ruto and Raila have misused the region only to abandon them after using them to find their way to power.

Gachagua argued that the people of Western have, for many years, failed to rally together to strengthen their bargaining power, leaving them vulnerable to ridicule.

Addressing the Mulembe Nation at Butula town, he said the community has historically only received political “leftovers".

“You have been misused for long by Raila, you have been supporting Raila and even vote for him. He then uses violence to get into the government and abandons you,” Gachagua said in Butula.

Gachagua noted his Mt Kenya has also been duped by Ruto the same way the ODM boss has been using the Mulembe nation as his stepping stone to power.

He argued that the people of Western have, for many years, failed to rally together to strengthen their bargaining power, leaving them vulnerable to ridicule.

“Raila has misused the Luhya nation just as President Ruto has misused the Mountain. We have all been misused by the duo.”

Gachagua further asserted that forming the next government would be easy if the Luhya community aligned itself with united opposition through their four leaders – Natembeya, Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Mukhisa Kituyi and Cleophas Malala.

“I urge you to send your four sons to represent you on the negotiation table. This is your time to be in government properly through your people and not brokers,” Gachagua said.

Malala vowed the four of them will craft a working formula and deliver Western to the opposition and never again shall they have an outsider negotiate for the Luhya community.

“Eugene, Mukhisa, Natembeya and myself have agreed to unite to save our community. Every time we have been voting for Raila, it is now time you stand with us to liberate our community,” Malala told residents of Bumula.

“In 2027 we will have our own house where we will be on the negotiation table. We are tired of depending on others to negotiate for us,” added Natembeya.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The united opposition have gone flat out to penetrate Western part of the country, a region that is firmly under control of both President William Ruto and ODM boss Raila Odinga. The opposition is plotting to ride on the widespread discontent with the administration to penetrate the vote rich region, however they will have to break a sweat to accomplish their near impossible mission.