Speaking on Saturday, November 7, 2026, during a meeting with bishops in Nyang’ori, Vihiga County, Mudavadi said Western residents could not expect to heavily influence national resource allocation or appointments without stronger electoral backing for leaders allied to President William Ruto. The-star
“You don’t vote for us and then you say, ‘give us’. Wacheni mchezo. That is the problem that we have in this Western region,” he said. The-star
He revisited his 2022 appeals for the region to support Ruto, noting that many dismissed his calls at the time. Mudavadi referenced complaints about the pace of development, including roads, and the idea of a 30 per cent share linked to earlier political understandings.
“When I was telling you Ruto is winning, let us move together, you thought it was a joke. Now you are saying, ‘Where is the 30 per cent of roads? Why is this happening?’ Where were you when I was going there?” he asked. The-star
In related remarks, he urged greater support for the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) at the grassroots, including electing more Members of County Assembly (MCAs) on the party ticket, to strengthen the region’s bargaining power in government and Parliament. He also expressed confidence that Ruto would win re-election in 2027 and cautioned against opposition alternatives. Tukio
The comments come against the backdrop of the 2022 general election, in which the Western region largely favoured Azimio la Umoja’s Raila Odinga over Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza ticket. Mudavadi, then a key Kenya Kwanza partner, had campaigned for strong support from the Luhya community as part of power-sharing arrangements that included senior roles for Western leaders. Despite the voting patterns, he was appointed Prime Cabinet Secretary (and later also holds the Foreign Affairs docket) after Ruto’s victory. Nairobileo
Some leaders and residents in the region have previously raised concerns about the distribution of development projects and high-level appointments. Mudavadi’s latest remarks frame political support as a prerequisite for greater influence over resources and positions. The-star
The statements have drawn attention on social media and in local reporting, reflecting ongoing debates about ethnic and regional balance in Kenya’s politics ahead of the 2027 elections.