The battle lines for the 2032 presidential election are already being drawn, with Western Kenya making an early and decisive stake for the country’s top seat.

In a statement on July 3, 2026, Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula—who also serves as a regional campaign coordinator for President William Ruto in the Western region—declared that the Mulembe nation is preparing to take over the presidency once President Ruto’s tenure comes to an end. He made these remarks during a meeting with boda boda (motorcycle taxi) industry leaders in Vihiga County.

According to Savula, the region is no longer willing to back other candidates or settle for lesser positions in government. The focus has firmly shifted toward securing the ultimate prize in Kenyan politics.

“Our vision for 2032 is clear… we are no longer interested in playing second fiddle,” Savula stated, highlighting a major shift in political strategy for the region. He further emphasized that the community should not settle for the Deputy President’s office or any other subordinate role.

This declaration aims to position the Mulembe nation as a central player in the post-Ruto transition. Historically, the region has often found itself in coalition arrangements, but Savula’s remarks suggest a new, independent path forward. He called for the community to have a clear presidential nominee by “May 29 next year” (2027) and urged Vihiga residents to evaluate potential candidates being mentioned nationally, including Ndindi Nyoro, Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua, and Edwin Sifuna.

Beyond the presidential race, Savula also appealed to Luhya voters living in Nairobi to support Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor (popularly known as Jalas) for the Nairobi Senatorial seat in future elections.

Significantly, Savula’s statement is not an isolated call. It is part of a coordinated push by Western Kenya leaders who have been making similar declarations throughout early June and July 2026:

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa recently urged Western leaders to focus on winning the presidency in 2032 rather than bargaining for the Deputy President position in 2027, noting that the Luhya community has already produced three Vice Presidents (Musalia Mudavadi, the late Michael Wamalwa Kijana, and Moody Awori).

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka explicitly stated that the region’s political goal is now the Presidency, not the Deputy Presidency.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula also signalled on July 3 that he has launched a long-term strategy aimed at the 2032 election, advocating that the West should fully support President Ruto in 2027 to become an “indispensable power broker” in the post-Ruto transition.

By launching this bid early, Savula is setting the stage for how the 2032 succession politics will play out. The core strategy is clear: the Mulembe nation intends to deliver overwhelming support for President Ruto’s re-election in 2027, positioning itself as his key political ally, and in return, expect to take over the top seat in 2032.

How this early declaration will impact current political alliances remains to be seen. However, it sends a clear message to other political factions that the Mulembe nation expects to be at the front of the line when President Ruto’s term concludes.

As the 2032 transition begins to take shape, Savula’s bold stance—backed by a growing chorus of Western leaders—ensures that Western Kenya will remain a key focal point in the national political conversation for the next six years.