KAKAMEGA, Kenya, Aug 16 — Leaders from Western Kenya have launched the Magharibi Movement, a regional lobby group aimed at consolidating the region’s political influence, rallying support for President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027 and positioning Western Kenya for the 2032 succession.Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the movement would go beyond the 2027 General Election by providing a political and grassroots structure through which the region can pursue its long-term interests.“This will not just be a political vehicle for 2027 but a lobby group to champion for the welfare and destiny of our people and region,” Mudavadi said during the launch at Kakamega High School.He urged Western Kenya to abandon the traditional five-year election-cycle approach and begin planning for the region’s political future, including its ambition to produce the next president after Ruto’s second term.“We must stop depending on the five-year election cycle and think about continuity and posterity,” Mudavadi said.Mudavadi speaks during the movement’s launch at Kakamega High School/PCSThe Prime CS called on residents to increase voter registration and support Ruto’s bid for a second term, arguing that continuity of the current administration would help safeguard development projects in the region.“We should look at our numbers and register more as voters to ensure we give President Ruto a petition-free second term,” he said.Mudavadi said Western Kenya’s political strategy should focus on consolidating its numbers, strengthening grassroots networks and ensuring the region remains aligned with the national government.“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,” he said.He cited ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Rironi-Mau Summit road, as evidence of the benefits of supporting the current administration.Mudavadi said the road would improve connectivity between Western Kenya and Nairobi and provide a link to the wider East African region through Malaba and Uganda.He criticised previous administrations for what he described as inadequate investment in Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga and Bungoma, saying some infrastructure projects had previously been dismissed as economically unviable.The movement’s launch brought together more than 2,000 representatives from Kakamega County’s 12 sub-counties, with organisers positioning the county as the anchor of a wider Western Kenya mobilisation effort.The initiative comes as political formations begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, while Western Kenya remains a key bloc in the contest for national power.Mudavadi said the region must unite behind a common strategy rather than wait until the next election cycle to determine its political direction.“This is a very powerful movement we are setting up as a network and as a strategy. We are thinking beyond 2027 and crafting a new vehicle that will speak for the people of our region,” he said.Leaders backing the initiative urged Mudavadi to take charge of efforts to unite Western Kenya and develop a common political agenda.Malava MP David Ndakwa said the region should support Ruto’s re-election while simultaneously preparing for its longer-term presidential ambitions.Former Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali called on Mudavadi to convene leaders from across the region to agree on a common political strategy.“We are now in the Broad-Based arrangement courtesy of UDA-ODM formation, but we also need to think where the future of our region lies,” Washiali said.Former Vihiga nominated MCA Douglas Beru said leaders should follow Mudavadi’s direction in building a united regional political bloc.