Western not interested in debate on choice for DP by Ruto, says Savula

Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana, Teso South’s Mary Emase and Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula at Aciit village in Teso South during a farewell reception for retired Katakwa ACK diocese Bishop John Okude on Saturday /HILTON OTENYO

Western leaders are not interested in the ongoing debate over President William Ruto’s choice of running mate in next year's election, Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has said.

He dismissed the debate as a waste of time, noting the President and the Deputy President are elected as a pair.

“The decision as to who should be President Ruto’s running mate for the 2027 general election should be left to him when the time comes,” Savula, who is also the deputy regional co-ordinator of President Ruto’s campaign team, said. He spoke at Mautuma in the Lugari constituency.

He said communities in the Western region—including the Luhya, Teso, and Saboti—are instead focused on positioning themselves to take power in 2032 after Ruto’s anticipated second term.

“Our priority for now is to deliver the close to three million votes, which we previously gave to Raila Odinga, to Ruto in 2027 and position ourselves for his succession in 2032,” Savula said.

He said the region has several senior leaders capable of succeeding Ruto.

“We have Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, and Co-operatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya, who are our sons, and we shall support one of them to succeed Ruto in 2032,” he said.

Savula said Western fully supports Ruto’s re-election, expressing confidence that he would, in turn, back a leader from the region after completing his second and final term.

He attributed the region’s support to development projects being implemented by Ruto’s administration.

Savula also urged Kenyans to emulate former President Mwai Kibaki and Raila, who signed the National Accord on February 28, 2008, restoring peace after the 2007–08 post-election violence.

“Today, they are all gone, leaving behind a rich legacy of peace that Kenyans must appreciate as we approach the 2027 general election,” he said.