Ruto finds new allies in Nyanza as Mbadi leads 2027 re-election charge
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi (centre) is installed as an elder at Kitawa Primary School in Suba South Constituency, Homa Bay County on November 29, 2024.
President William Ruto's 2027 re-election campaign is shaping up in opposition supremo Raila Odinga’s Nyanza backyard, with former critics now rallying behind him.
Among the latest converts is National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who urged Nyanza voters to support Ruto in 2027.
Speaking during a visit in his Suba South backyard, the former legislator highlighted Kenya Kwanza government’s achievement as he assured the residents that supporting Dr Ruto would unlock more development opportunities in the region.
With ODM leader Raila Odinga eyeing the chairmanship of African Union Commission (AUC), Mr Mbadi, once a vocal critic, now champions President Ruto’s leadership in a region that overwhelmingly supported his rival.
“I will only have difficulties in choosing who to support if both Raila Odinga and President Ruto vie for the presidential seat in 2027,” the CS said.
CS Mbadi is now among senior government officials pushing the government’s agenda, and rallying residents of the lake region to consider re-electing President Ruto.
“Let the region ignore any other presidential candidate if Raila Odinga is not contesting,” he said.
He spoke after being installed by elders as the region’s spokesman in national politics.
The event held at Kitawa Primary School on Friday to support Kobunda Professionals’ Association brought elders from the community who lauded him for steering the region during his reign as area MP.
The senior citizens gave Mr Mbadi the nod to give the community political direction.
President Ruto, who has pledged equitable development, previously acknowledged that Nyanza largely rejected him in 2022 but vowed to ensure the region benefits from his administration.
According to CS Mbadi, his decision to support Dr Ruto was based on the fact that the president had also supported Mr Odinga in 2007 when the opposition leader became prime minister.
“The entire Rift Valley region supported us in 2007. It is now in order for our community to support President Ruto in the next election,” he said.
During his speech, he said President Ruto has Nyanza at heart and that the government is implementing various development projects that will transform the people of the Nyanza region.
Some of the projects he mentioned include tarmacking of a 73km Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Sori road, Lake Victoria ring road among other development projects.
“We expect to get more benefits from the government so let us continue supporting the broad-based government,” Mr Mbadi said.
He added that he would improve the country’s economy, saying it was on the right trajectory.
“Some people of the middle class still complain that they lack money in their pockets due to taxation. We are going to work on the issue to enable them to feel better too,” Mr Mbadi said.
