The recently launched Magharibi Movement Initiative has announced that it will engage the grassroots directly in mobilising support for president William Ruto’s re-election in 2027 rather than public rallies.
The lobby chairman Geoffrey Nasiali said the lobby seeks to reach voters and engage them close to their respective polling centres and avoid public rallies.
“The movement is not going to hold rallies but engage voters in town-hall like meetings at the grassroots. We have already worked out our programme which will be launched by the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi soon,” said Nasiali.
The movement was launched by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi at Kakamega School on August 15.
Nasiali said that the lobby will focus on explaining President Ruto’s development initiatives in Western region in the last four years so they can make informed decision at the ballot.
“We want to help our people to differentiate facts from the lies, misinformation and disinformation being peddled by the opposition. President Ruto has done a lot for this region but people don’t know, a situation the opposition is exploiting,” he said.
He lobby is part of the strategies to counter the rising influence of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi movement in the region and mop up votes in support of President Ruto’s re-election in 2027.
While launching the movement, Mudavadi described it as a long-term lobby group that would champion the interests of Western Kenya beyond electoral politics.
"This is a very powerful movement we are setting up as a network and as a strategy. This will not just be a political vehicle for 2027 but a lobby group to champion the welfare and destiny of our people and region," Mudavadi said.
He said the movement would also provide the political structure needed to strengthen the region's influence.
"You cannot win the presidency without a party, a structure and a network. Under the Magharibi Movement, we want to walk together to help increase the winning margin for President Ruto. We are thinking beyond 2027 and crafting a new vehicle that will speak for the people of our region," Mudavadi said.
Nasiali said the movement would help unite the region behind Ruto's re-election and prepare for his succession in 2032.
“We’re not going to engage in confrontational campaigns. Our duty is to mobilise votes for Ruto. The opposition are free to do their things and then we allow voters to decide based on their understanding of the candidates and political formations,” he said.
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