Mulembe Nation Leaders Meet to Forge Western Unity
In a strategic move aimed at consolidating political influence in Western Kenya, prominent Luhya leaders including COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya reportedly convened a high-level meeting on January 22, 2026.
The discussions centered on fostering unity among the Luhya community—often referred to as the Mulembe nation—and devising plans to rally support for President William Ruto's anticipated re-election campaign in 2027.
Sources familiar with the meeting indicate that the leaders emphasized the need for a cohesive regional bloc to amplify Western Kenya's bargaining power in national politics. "Our strength lies in unity," Wetang'ula stated in a recent announcement, highlighting the initiative's goal to position the community favorably under the current administration while eyeing long-term gains beyond 2027.
The meeting builds on ongoing efforts by Ruto's allies to secure the Western vote, a region that has historically been fragmented along party lines and delivered mixed results in past elections.
The Luhya community, Kenya's second-largest ethnic group, has long been courted by political heavyweights due to its significant voter base in counties like Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia. In the 2022 elections, Ruto garnered support from key figures like Mudavadi and Wetang'ula, who joined his Kenya Kwanza coalition, but the region remains competitive with opposition strongholds tied to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and emerging parties like the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K).
Recent polls and political analyses suggest ODM retains popularity in parts of Western Kenya, followed by DAP-K, making it a battleground for 2027.
President Ruto, aware of these dynamics, has deployed a multi-pronged strategy to capture more votes here. This includes appointing Luhya leaders to high-profile positions—Mudavadi as Prime CS, Wetang'ula as Speaker, and Oparanya as CS—and prioritizing development projects such as infrastructure, agriculture, and youth empowerment programs.
