Battle for Western vote: Mudavadi in fresh turf wars with Natembeya

Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi meets Western leaders led by Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula (R), MPs Fred Ikana (Shinyalu) and Kakai Bisau (Kiminini) at his office

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has moved to consolidate the Western region, holding back-to-back meetings with leaders from Kakamega, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia counties.

The meetings, officially framed around development priorities, brought together county leaders, MPs and aspirants eyeing the upcoming elections.

Mudavadi’s outreach comes just days after a new opinion poll indicated that Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has overtaken him as the Luhya community’s most influential political figure, displacing him as the region’s long-time “kingpin.”

The timing is particularly delicate.

With quiet but intense jockeying already underway over President William Ruto’s potential running mate in 2027, the ratings land at an awkward moment for Mudavadi—the country’s former seventh and shortest-serving Vice President.

The meetings happening as the 2027 election campaign start in earnest have been interpreted as Mudavadi’s renewed push to consolidate the region politically, while tightening alignment with the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development agenda.

Over the past two weeks, he has met leaders to discuss infrastructure delivery, service coordination and grassroots political mobilisation.

The move signals Mudavadi’s efforts to reinforce his influence as well as UDA’s foothold in the region, even as the popularity of the opposition DAP-K grows.

On Thursday, the Prime CS met leaders from Kakamega led by Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, alongside Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana and Kiminini MP Kakai Bisau.

Mudavadi said the meeting sought “to drive forward ongoing development programmes”.

“We aligned on accelerating national government initiatives focused on infrastructure including roads, digital and power connectivity, and on expanding trade-enabling investments such as modern markets,” Mudavadi said.

The meeting underscored a broader push by Kenya Kwanza to demonstrate delivery in Western Kenya amid growing scrutiny over the pace of development projects.

Two days earlier, on January 13, Mudavadi had held a separate meeting with Vihiga Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo.

Mudavadi, who hails from the county, said they discussed how to “drive alignment between the county’s priority development projects and the national government’s agenda.

“We agreed on decisive coordination between the two levels of government to speed up implementation, cut delays, and strengthen service delivery across the county,” Mudavadi said after the meeting.

In particular, their discussions focused on securing land for the proposed Kidundu Stadium, accelerating key infrastructure projects in Vihiga, and finalising preparations for the Maragoli Marathon scheduled for February 1.

He stressed the need for decisive alignment to cut bureaucratic delays and fast-track implementation of priority projects.

Critics say Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula have not delivered for the community in line with their deal with Ruto.

In the agreement, the two were to be given a 30 per cent share of government if they delivered 70 per cent of its total votes to Ruto.

They fell short, delivering just about 38 per cent with the late Raila Odinga having a commanding grip of the region.

The agreement also promised the revival of the sugar industry in the region and the construction of an additional 1,000km of roads, in addition to all the other stalled roads.

Alongside development-focused engagements, Mudavadi has also been active on the political front, particularly in Kakamega county since the Malava by-elections, which he bagged.

UDA is now preparing for the West Kabras MCA by-election slated for February 26.

On Tuesday, he met Elphas Shalakha, the UDA candidate for the by-election in Malava.

The meeting, attended by Malava MP David Ndakwa, signalled early mobilisation and consolidation ahead of the election.

“Fresh from a decisive victory in the party primaries, Shalakha is stepping into a demanding campaign season with momentum, clarity of purpose, and the backing of a united team on the ground,” Mudavadi said.

He added that the party was fully mobilised, energising supporters and sharpening its grassroots strategy, drawing parallels with the earlier Malava by-election.

Mudavadi’s outreach has also extended beyond sitting office holders.

On January 7, he hosted former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa for discussions on “leadership, public service and the broader political landscape”.

While described as a courtesy call, the meeting highlighted Mudavadi’s continued engagement with leaders from the region. Wamalwa has declared interest in Trans Nzoia to unseat Governor George Natembeya.

At the height of the Malava by-election campaigns, Mudavadi warned Governor Natembeya that he should expect a huge challenge in 2027.

“People should not think that we are not politicians, and I want to tell you, even that one walking around here called Natembeya, I want to tell him that in 2027 we will field a very strong candidate in Trans Nzoia who will show him the door and send him home,” Mudavadi said.

The flurry of meetings comes at a time  Western Kenya is emerging as a critical battleground ahead of the 2027 elections.

The region will also be a factor in the 2027 alignments and the value of the senior politicians from there in the Kenya Kwanza administration.