Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi. Faith Matete
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has challenged opposition leaders to name their preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election, declaring that President William Ruto will secure a second term with a decisive first-round victory.
Wandayi said the broad-based political arrangement had already settled on President Ruto as its presidential candidate, while the opposition remained divided and had failed to present a united front or a credible alternative.
Speaking in West Uyoma, Rarieda Constituency on Sunday, Wandayi accused opposition leaders of engaging in divisive politics and constant criticism instead of presenting a clear agenda to Kenyans.
"Make an effort to tell us who your presidential candidate is. Under our broad-based coalition, our candidate is President William Samoei Ruto," Wandayi said.
"We challenge them to name their candidate so that we can meet head-to-head."
The Energy CS expressed confidence that President Ruto would win the 2027 presidential election in the first round, predicting he would garner more than 65 per cent of the vote.
"I am completely certain that this election will be won early in the morning by His Excellency President William Ruto in Round One with more than 65 per cent of the vote," Wandayi said.
He dismissed the opposition's chances of unseating Ruto, arguing that its leaders had yet to unite behind a common candidate and were relying on criticism rather than offering a viable political alternative.
Wandayi said the political cooperation between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) had created a formidable alliance that would strengthen Ruto's re-election bid.
He also assured residents of West Uyoma that key infrastructure and development projects in the region remained part of the national government's development agenda.
Wandayi's remarks came as Vihiga Deputy Governor Ayub Savula called on leaders from Western Kenya and the broader region to work together to strengthen the community's bargaining power ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Savula said Wandayi, Co-operatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, and other leaders from the region should unite and position the community to secure the Deputy President's seat after the next election.
"Opiyo Wandayi and Wycliffe Oparanya should sit together so that one of them can become Deputy President. The position Wandayi is holding is being held in trust for the people," Savula said.
He added:
"As we approach 2027, we should support President William Ruto so that our bargaining power can be strong."
Savula described Wandayi as a proven performer and expressed confidence that he would continue delivering in his role as Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary.
"Opiyo Wandayi is a performer. We are with President William Ruto," he said.
Marenyo-Shianda MCA said Wandayi was a close friend and son of the community, adding that the time had come for Wandayi and Oparanya to work together in pursuit of the Deputy President's position.
"Opiyo Wandayi is our friend and our son, and he is also a friend of Oparanya. The time is ripe for them to sit together so that we can have a Deputy President from among them," the MCA said.
