Broad-based leaders predict Ruto to win elections with 3 million votes

The push comes as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi tours Western Kenya, urging the Mulembe community to back Ruto in large numbers.

His allies argue that a strong show of support for Ruto in 2027 could help position Mudavadi for a Luhya presidential bid in 2032.

As political campaigns ahead of next year's General Election gather pace, Ruto's allies are stepping up their re-election bid while turning their attention to the Opposition.

One team, led by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, pitched camp in Kajiado County, where they courted support from the pastoralist community and urged residents to back President Ruto for a second term in the 2027 polls.

“Let 2027 be like a referendum, a choice between development and equity, and those others who boast and say that some Kenyans do not matter,” Cheruiyot stated.

Kajiado South MP Parashina Memusi also urged residents to scrutinise the agendas of political leaders while maintaining their support for Ruto.

“Anyone selling an agenda, listen to them. But don't you know where our votes are going?” Memusi posed.

The leaders are predicting a bigger win for Ruto in 2027 than in 2022, pointing to what they describe as his expanding support base across the country, including within ODM.

They have also accused some Opposition leaders of fuelling division through their rhetoric, urging Kenyans to reject politics that they say threatens national unity.

ODM's Junet Mohamed said the party's decision to work with Ruto had changed its political fortunes.

“Many times, as ODM, things were not going well for us. Now we are in government. In 2027, because we are together with the President, forget about Uhuru. We were with him in 2022. Did he help us? We cannot follow him,” Mohamed stated.

Hillary Kosgei predicted that Ruto would secure a decisive victory in 2027, saying the combined support of Ruto and Raila Odinga's former political base would make the election result difficult to challenge.

“Ruto will win with more than three million votes. If Raila's and Ruto's votes are put together, there will not even be a Supreme Court case,” Kosgei stated.

Presidential aide Farouk Kibet called on political leaders to avoid statements that could divide the country.

“Let us work to ensure that leaders make statements that do not divide the country but instead unite it,” Kibet stated.

Meanwhile, on the second day of his tour of Western Kenya, Mudavadi oversaw the launch of the Magharibi lobby group, which seeks to mobilise the region to register as voters, with a target of 3.4 million registered voters.

Mudavadi urged the Mulembe community to support Ruto in 2027, arguing that a strong showing at the ballot could strengthen the region's position in the country's political succession.

“This is not just a political lobby group or movement. It is about the destiny of our community. If you think its mandate will end in 2027, you have the wrong agenda. We must plan for posterity,” Mudavadi stated.

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula openly linked support for Ruto in 2027 to Mudavadi's potential presidential bid in 2032.

“Tukienda upinzani, it will take us 10 years to get the presidency. Let's vote Ruto in for five years, nao warudishe mkono 2032 on Musalia presidency,” Savula stated.

In Likuyani Constituency, Kakamega County, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi led broad-based government allies in rallying support for Ruto, using the launch of development projects in the area to highlight the government's record and make a fresh case for his re-election.

“Maendeleo yanatekelezwa bila ubaguzi wowote na kujumuisha kila sehemu,” Wandayi stated.

Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe also called on residents to maintain their support for the broad-based government and Ruto.

“Tuendelee kushirikiana na sisi wote kwenye broad-based government, tuunge mkono Ruto,” Mugabe stated.