President William Ruto’s Western Kenya campaign machinery on Sunday June 28, 2026 shifted into high gear after Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli led an aggressive voter registration mobilisation drive in Shinyalu, rallying the Mulembe Nation behind what they described as a decisive strategy to secure the President’s re-election in 2027.

The leaders launched an intensified grassroots campaign urging eligible residents to acquire national identity cards and register as voters, saying Western Kenya’s numerical strength would play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the next General Election.

The Sunday engagement forum, which attracted hundreds of residents and local leaders from across the region, underscored the growing momentum behind the voter registration campaign and the push to consolidate Western Kenya’s political influence ahead of the 2027 polls.

Governor Lusaka, who also serves as President Ruto’s Western Region Re-election Coordinator, expressed confidence that the Head of State would secure a second term, saying the region was targeting four million new voters ahead of the polls.

According to Lusaka, Western Kenya has already registered 2.4 million new voters, based on the latest IEBC data, and is now targeting a total of four million registered voters. 

He described the ongoing voter registration exercise as a strategic political investment that will strengthen the region’s bargaining power nationally.

“We have the numbers. What remains is ensuring every eligible resident acquires an ID card and registers as a voter. Western Kenya must speak through the ballot,” Lusaka said.

He defended President Ruto’s development record, citing the ongoing dualling of the Rironi–Mau Summit–Malaba Highway, the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA), affordable housing projects, electricity connectivity, and other flagship government programmes, arguing that the administration has delivered inclusive development across the country.

Lusaka urged residents to sustain the voter registration momentum, saying a high voter turnout would guarantee President Ruto a commanding victory in 2027.

COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli echoed Lusaka’s sentiments, urging the Mulembe Nation to unite behind President Ruto while dismissing the opposition as divisive.

Atwoli accused the opposition faction led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of promoting ethnic politics and incitement, warning that divisive rhetoric could threaten national cohesion.

He called on the government to take legal action against leaders accused of inciting Kenyans, maintaining that the Mulembe Nation had resolved to chart a united political future anchored on stability and development.

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, who also serves as Deputy Coordinator of President Ruto’s Western campaign, said the region’s political strategy is to overwhelmingly support the President’s re-election in 2027 before positioning itself to pursue the presidency in 2032.

Savula urged eligible residents to register as voters, arguing that President Ruto remains ahead of his rivals because of what he termed an unmatched development record.

Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana, the host of the event, dismissed the opposition as lacking a credible development agenda, urging residents to reject what he described as economic sabotage and instead rally behind President Ruto.

Vihiga Woman Representative Dr. Beatrice Adagala said President Ruto has accelerated development across Western Kenya through investments in infrastructure, electricity connectivity, and other key sectors, urging the region to reject divisive politics and remain united.

Kiminini MP Kakai Bisau said President Ruto has demonstrated unprecedented commitment to Western Kenya through programmes including teacher recruitment and affordable housing, arguing that no previous administration had matched the current pace of development in the region.

Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama said Western Kenya has experienced significant transformation under President Ruto’s administration after years of lagging behind in development while in the opposition, urging residents to remain aligned with the government for continued progress.

Teso South MP Mary Emase cited the ongoing Rironi–Mau Summit–Malaba Highway dual carriageway, modern markets, and other national government projects as evidence of President Ruto’s commitment to transforming Western Kenya, while criticising the opposition for what she termed divisive politics.

Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda urged residents to safeguard the development gains realised under President Ruto’s leadership by delivering him a second term in office.

The leaders said the voter registration drive, which officially kicked off in Shinyalu, will be rolled out across the entire Western region as part of a broader grassroots mobilisation campaign ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The leaders spoke during a Sunday engagement forum at Ingolomosio Catholic Church in Shinyalu, where they also made financial contributions towards the construction of the church.