By Doris Moraa | July 20, 2026
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has declared that he is determined to become the first leader from the Mulembe nation to ascend to Kenya’s highest office, saying his current role in government is part of a long-term political strategy aimed at positioning the Luhya community for the presidency.
Speaking during a church service at the African Israel Nineveh Church in Westlands, Nairobi, before later addressing grassroots leaders, Mudavadi called on the Luhya community to remain united and politically strategic as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election and beyond.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary reminded his supporters that he made history in 2002 by becoming the first leader from the Mulembe community to serve as Kenya’s Vice President, saying the milestone demonstrated that the region has the capacity to produce the country’s top leadership.
Mudavadi said his current position within President William Ruto’s administration should be viewed as part of a carefully planned political journey that will ultimately culminate in the election of a president from the Mulembe nation.
“I became the first Vice President from the Mulembe community, and I believe I will also become the first President from our community,” Mudavadi told the congregation.
He urged members of the Luhya community to remain patient, disciplined and united, arguing that political success is achieved through careful planning and strategic alliances rather than short-term decisions.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary reiterated his support for President William Ruto’s re-election in the 2027 General Election, saying the Kenya Kwanza administration deserves a second term to complete its development agenda.
According to Mudavadi, backing President Ruto’s second-term bid will strengthen the region’s bargaining power within government and position the Luhya community favourably ahead of the 2032 General Election.
He maintained that supporting the current administration would create a stronger foundation for his long-term presidential ambition, emphasizing that political agreements and partnerships should be honoured to build trust among coalition partners.
Mudavadi also challenged members of the Luhya community living in urban areas, particularly Nairobi, to register as voters and participate actively in future elections.
He noted that the community has a significant population spread across Nairobi’s 17 constituencies and said their collective voting power could play a decisive role in determining the country’s political leadership if exercised strategically.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary encouraged Luhyas across the country to remain united and vote with a common purpose, arguing that unity would significantly enhance the community’s influence in national politics.
His remarks come at a time when political competition for influence in Western Kenya continues to intensify ahead of the 2027 General Election.
A number of younger political leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, have recently emerged as influential voices in the region, with both actively mobilizing support through the Linda Mwananchi political movement.
The growing prominence of the younger leaders has sparked fresh debate over the future political leadership of the Mulembe nation, with different factions competing to shape the region’s political direction in the coming years.
Political analysts say Mudavadi’s latest declaration is intended to reaffirm his standing as one of the region’s senior political figures while reminding supporters of his extensive experience in national leadership.
Throughout his political career, Mudavadi has served in several senior government positions, including Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary, making him one of Kenya’s longest-serving political leaders.
His latest remarks are expected to generate fresh political debate within Western Kenya as leaders continue positioning themselves for the 2027 General Election while simultaneously laying the groundwork for the 2032 presidential succession.
As political alignments continue to evolve across the country, Mudavadi’s call for unity and long-term political planning underscores the growing competition among Western Kenya leaders seeking to shape the region’s influence in Kenya’s future political landscape.
