Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has urged political leaders to put aside their differences and embrace tolerance, warning that political competition ahead of the 2027 General Election should not create divisions and enmity in the region.
Lusaka said leaders should respect divergent political views and focus on selling their policies and development agenda to voters instead of attacking their rivals.
“Politics should not create enmity among leaders. We must learn to coexist, respect one another and tolerate divergent political views,” he said.
The governor was speaking at Luuya Bwake Ward in Kabuchai during the burial of Mama Alina Wakwabubii, the matriarch of the family of Senator Consolata Wakwabubii.
Lusaka said the Luhya community had a long history of producing leaders who sought the presidency, citing former Vice-President Michael Kijana Wamalwa and former Vice-President Musalia Mudavadi.
He said the region had in the past rallied behind presidential candidates from Western Kenya, irrespective of the eventual outcome of elections, arguing that political competition should not be allowed to destroy relationships among leaders and their supporters.
Lusaka also defended Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s decision to seek the presidency, saying every politician had a democratic right to present their agenda to the electorate.
“Sifuna has a democratic right to contest for any seat. This is his moment, and he should be allowed to sell his agenda to the people,” he said.
The governor, who is President William Ruto’s Western region re-election coordinator, urged leaders to leave the final decision to voters when the country goes to the polls in August 2027.
“The people are the ones who will decide who they want to elect in 2027. Our responsibility as leaders is to sell our agendas and allow the people to make their choice,” he said.
Lusaka also rallied support for President Ruto’s re-election, citing ongoing infrastructure projects and investments in the health sector.
He singled out markets, affordable housing, stadium, road projects and the planned Sichei Level Six Hospital in Kabuchai, saying the investments would improve access to healthcare, connectivity and economic opportunities for residents.
Lusaka called for issue-based campaigns and peaceful political engagement, saying the interests of residents and development should remain at the centre of political discourse as the country heads towards the 2027 elections.
His remarks came as political leaders from Western Kenya increasingly position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with questions over the region’s preferred presidential candidate and possible alliances already emerging.
Sifuna, who was among the leaders who attended the burial, used the occasion to make a fresh declaration of his presidential ambitions, saying he will not back down inbfavour of President William Ruti.
He added that he was firmly in the race and would not settle for the position of Deputy President in favour of President William Ruto as a cross section of leaders from.the region continue to lobby for the position.
The Linda Mwananchi leader dismissed calls by some leaders from the region who have expressed willingness to support a presidential candidate in exchange for the Deputy President’s position.
He said he would rather return to the Senate than serve as Ruto’s deputy, signalling his determination to pursue the presidency in 2027.
Sifuna said Western Kenya had the numbers and political maturity to field a competitive presidential candidate and challenged the region to seek the country’s top leadership position instead of settling for the deputy presidency.
Among those who attended the burial were Senators Catherine Muma and Wafula Wakoli, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga and Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, among other leaders.
by Chris Mahandara
