Women leaders from Western Kenya are increasingly taking centre stage in the push for regional unity ahead of the 2027 General Election .

UDA nominated Senator Consolata Wakwabubi has called on leaders from the Luhya community to close ranks in order to strengthen the region’s development agenda.

Senator Wakwabubi, who sits in the Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration as well as the Select Committee on Delegated Legislation, argues that cohesion among Western Kenya leaders is critical if the region is to fully benefit from the current broad-based government framework and secure a stronger bargaining position ahead of the next polls.

Speaking to TV 47 digital on Friday, Senator Wakwabubi noted that Western Kenya has often suffered from fragmented leadership, a situation that has diluted its bargaining power at the national level despite the region’s sizable population and economic potential.

According to the Senator, unity among Luhya leaders across political parties and county boundaries isn’t a new conversation but one that has been consistently raised by several leaders over the years.

She observed that while the region has produced influential national leaders the absence of a common negotiating position has at times limited the impact of their engagement with the national government.

Senator Wakwabubi pointed to regions such as Nyanza as examples of how coordinated political engagement has translated into stronger national influence.

 In recent years, Wakwabubi affirmed that Nyanza leaders have demonstrated ability to rally around shared regional interests while constructively engaging with the broad-based government enabling the region to advance key development priorities despite internal political diversity.

Further, she rallied the Western region leaders to emulate a similar model, one that prioritizes unity of purpose over partisan competition.

Such an approach, she said, would enhance the region’s ability to lobby for critical investments in infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare and industrial development.

“Unity does not mean the loss of political identity,” Wakwabubi noted.

The Senator further noted that a united Western bloc would be better positioned to engage President Ruto on long term development planning, ensuring that the region is not sidelined in policy formulation and resource allocation from the National treasury.

Other Western region women leaders have also stepped forward to champion the call for Luhya unity, saying the community’s political strength lies in solidarity and a shared agenda.

Woman representatives Catherine Wambilianga (Bungoma), Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga) and her Kakamega counterpart Elsie Muhanda have also joined voices in urging leaders and residents to put aside personal and party differences for the greater good of the region.