by Agatha Nafula
As the rest of the country engages deeply with their regional politics, even going so far as to name their regional kingpins, much less can be said about the once mighty and steadfast Western region.
Politics in Western Kenya were once highly organized, producing influential leaders like Masinde Muliro, Moody Awori, and Michael Kijana Wamalwa, who elevated the region's status by assuming high offices and unifying its people. However, in recent years, the region has devolved into a political battlefield, characterized by shifting alliances, power struggles, and competing interests that have fueled intense political rivalries.
The legacy left by these notable figures seems to have crumbled under the weight of conflicting interests among current leaders from the region. While some leaders claim to have an agenda to unite Western Kenya and restore its past glory, ongoing internal battles over who is more superior and deserving of a seat at the political high table have left the region far from achieving any form of unity.
The formation of the Azimio la Umoja coalition, led by Raila Odinga, was seen by many as a betrayal to two previously loyal players, Moses Wetang'ula and Musalia Mudavadi, who had long rallied their supporters behind Raila against their former political rival, Uhuru Kenyatta, in the NASA coalition. This move deepened divisions within Western Kenya, as Wetang'ula and Mudavadi subsequently aligned themselves with William Ruto, fracturing the once-solid ODM base in the region.
Their alliances with Ruto, and the subsequent assumption of senior government positions as rewards for delivering the presidency, initially stirred excitement in the region, with hopes that these appointments would translate into tangible development benefits. However, many now believe Wetang'ula and Mudavadi had more personal agendas in mind when accepting these rewards.
Development projects have since become a battleground for political legitimacy, as both leaders jostle with their regional counterparts for credit over key infrastructure and social initiatives. This rivalry reinforces the perception that their ambitions are more about political capital than genuine regional development.
Wetang'ula, as Speaker of the National Assembly, has solidified his political stature and is positioning himself as a key figure in the 2027 succession race. Mudavadi, though less visible in national politics since his appointment as Prime Cabinet Secretary, has been carefully balancing his role in the Ruto government while trying to maintain loyalty from his home county of Vihiga.
Despite holding significant positions, neither leader has managed to establish themselves as clear successors in the national leadership hierarchy. While both have played crucial roles in national coalitions, their influence has been overshadowed by internal divisions and shifting political allegiances within the region.
As Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faces possible impeachment, speculation is rising about potential successors. Some sources suggest Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi from Western Kenya as a leading candidate, while others are rooting for Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki. The outcome could significantly impact Kenya's political landscape, particularly for the Western region, which is eager to reclaim its once-influential position in national politics. Time will reveal how this political shuffle unfolds.
Once a political powerhouse under figures like Wamalwa, Western Kenya has yet to produce a leader who commands the same level of national confidence and political unity necessary to ascend to the highest offices.
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