Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has declared his political pact with President William Ruto “unstoppable,” pledging to mobilise more than four million votes for the President ahead of the 2027 general election.
Barasa said the partnership between him and Ruto was firmly rooted in the interests of Western Kenya, insisting that their political alliance would deliver victory for both leaders as they seek re-election.
The governor spoke in Lurambi during a tuk-tuk empowerment programme, where he presented President Ruto’s KSh2 million contribution to the beneficiaries.
He described the Kenya Kwanza-ODM broad-based government as a strong and unshaken political formation, while dismissing the opposition as lacking both direction and a clear agenda for Kenyans.
“President William Ruto has invested heavily in the Western region, and it will not be fair if we do not support his second term in office,” Barasa said.
The ODM Kakamega County chairman pledged to campaign aggressively for the broad-based government, saying he would work to secure victories for its candidates from Members of County Assembly to the presidency.
Barasa also turned his attention beyond 2027, saying Western Kenya should begin positioning itself to take over the country’s leadership after President Ruto completes his second term.
He urged leaders from the region to start strategising for the 2032 presidential contest, arguing that Western Kenya should be ready to produce the next Head of State.
“As a region, I will personally lead a door-to-door campaign for the President and myself, and we shall successfully secure our second terms. There are no strong hurdles in our way, and we shall win this election,” he said.
Barasa further claimed that President Ruto had committed to supporting Western Kenya’s presidential ambitions after completing his tenure, with the region expected to reciprocate by backing the President’s re-election in 2027.
“Our President has made it clear that Western will produce the next President after he finishes his term, and he is asking for our political backing, which he will also lead Rift Valley to return the favour by backing our presidential bid,” he said.
The governor cited major infrastructure projects as evidence of the national government’s growing investment in Western Kenya.
He singled out the expansion of the Nairobi-Malaba highway and the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway, saying the projects would improve connectivity and unlock greater economic opportunities for the region.
“Our region has been neglected by former regimes in terms of development, and it is only when President William Ruto assumed office that he diversified various development projects here,” Barasa said.
He pointed to infrastructure investments including the completion of Bukhungu Stadium ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the Kakamega Level 6 Referral Hospital, which he said would serve patients from across the region.
Barasa said Western Kenya was on course for accelerated economic growth under the broad-based government and urged regional leaders to support the administration.
He maintained that the partnership with President Ruto would remain central to his political strategy as the country heads towards the 2027 elections.
