Sirisia Member of Parliament John Waluke has hailed President William Ruto for appointing Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka to serve as campaign coordinator for the Western region ahead of the 2027 general election.
The endorsement came on 9 January 2026, shortly after Waluke paid a condolence visit to the family of Webuye East parliamentary aspirant Lendrix Waswa. Waluke described the appointment as a positive and strategic step, stressing that leaders from the region are uniting to deliver votes for Ruto’s re-election.
“Ruto juzi ameteuwa Gov. Lusaka kuwa chairman wa campaign western region hii yote, na sisi rais tunashukuru kwa hio appointment; sisi tutafanya kazi tuungane na hata akina Savula. Haja yetu ni kura,” Waluke said.
Unity push in Western Kenya
Waluke highlighted the role of Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula as Lusaka’s deputy, viewing it as proof of cohesion among Western Kenya politicians behind Ruto’s broad-based government. He called on his constituents to back Ruto fully for a second term to sustain development nationwide.
“Tuendee na serikali ya William. Tusupport William Ruto kwa vyovyote vile. Tumpee second term, aendelee kufanya maendeleo mengi kama alivyoafanya,” he added.
The appointments follow a meeting in Bungoma chaired by Lusaka, where he announced his selection as coordinator. The event drew leaders aligned with the broad-based administration.
Savula defects from DAP-K
At the forum, Savula announced his exit from the Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K), where he served as deputy leader. He cited alignment with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) within the broader coalition. Savula pledged to deputise Lusaka in mobilising Western support for Ruto in 2027.
The moves signal an early effort to secure the vote-rich Western region for Ruto amid evolving alliances in Kenya’s post-2022 political scene. Lusaka, a two-term governor and Ford Kenya deputy leader, is charged with uniting factions to bolster support.
However, dissent persists. Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has dismissed Lusaka’s appointment, arguing it will fail to deliver votes for Ruto and urging the president to fulfil 2022 campaign promises first.
As preparations intensify for the 2027 polls, with 2026 viewed as a pivotal year for consolidating support in swing regions like Western Kenya, the coordination structure aims to counter opposition efforts and highlight development gains.
