Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa is facing mounting pressure from fellow Western Kenya leaders aligned to President William Ruto, who have accused him of undermining ongoing efforts to consolidate the Luhya vote ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Wamalwa came under sharp criticism during the burial of former Likuyani MP Enock Kibunguchy, where he spoke of the need for Luhya unity while, according to his critics, maintaining a separate political path through DAP-K.
Leaders present challenged Wamalwa to dissolve his party and join the broad-based political arrangement backing President Ruto’s re-election bid, arguing that fragmented political outfits would weaken the region’s bargaining power nationally.
Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya faulted leaders who call for unity while clinging to individual parties.
“Mnakuja hapa ati kutuambia tuje pamoja, lakini nyinyi mmekwamilia hizi vyama zenu. Kama hatukuji pamoja, hakuna mahali hiyo vyama itawapeleka,” Oparanya said.
Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka questioned the practicality of individual presidential ambitions from the region, urging leaders to be realistic about their chances.
“Don’t just stand because you want to be a presidential candidate. What are the realistic chances of winning? That is the question we must ask ourselves as the Luhya community,” Lusaka said, adding that while the community is capable of producing a president, it must first assess its preparedness.
The criticism followed remarks by Wamalwa suggesting he was ready to lead the Luhya community as its preferred presidential candidate. His continued stay in the opposition, however, drew unease from leaders aligned to the government.
Wamalwa defended his political stance, citing past agreements among Western leaders.
“Cyrus Jirongo supported us in Malava and funded DAP-K activities. We had agreed that come 2027, we would unite and field a presidential candidate,” he said.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa countered that presidential ambitions require both numerical support and financial muscle, declaring Kakamega’s loyalty to President Ruto.
“To seek the presidency, you must have people and resources. I want to inform everyone here that as Kakamega people, we are solidly behind President William Ruto,” Barasa stated.
The push for Luhya unity unfolded amid renewed political attacks by President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, who accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of destabilising the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) through political proxies.
Speaking in neighbouring Malava Constituency, Kibet warned leaders in the broad-based government against abandoning the administration.
“Yule retired president amepanga hawa kina Khalwale, Sifuna na Osotsi… ati baada ya uchaguzi William Ruto akishinda, Mluhya asiwe rais. Tunamwambia shetani ashindwe,” Kibet said.
His remarks were echoed by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who urged leaders from the region to remain within government.
“Mkishapata nafasi ya kuwa ndani ya serikali, msikubali mtu awapotoshe au awarudishe kwa upinzani. Nawasihi sana,” Wandayi said.
As the 2027 race gathers momentum, the debate over Luhya political unity is increasingly shaping alignments in Western Kenya, with pressure mounting on opposition leaders to either fold into the ruling coalition or risk political isolation.
