The battle for Western Kenya votes has intensified with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula claiming Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna lacks the political experience and national support required to become president.

The duo, for the first time, aimed a jibe at the Linda Mwananchi leader as competition for control of Western Kenya, which is projected to have more than 3.3 million voters by the 2027 General Election, continues to gather momentum.

Speaking at the home of former ANC chairman Ken Lunani in Busia over the weekend, Mr Mudavadi dismissed Mr Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, arguing that the numbers required to win the presidency make the task considerably harder than his supporters suggest.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addresses a Linda Mwananchi rally at Shianda in Mumias on August 9, 2026.

Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group

“To be President, you must get more than 25 per cent in 24 counties; those who are making noise here, even if you walk in these counties, you still need other counties. Those are five counties, but you need 24, and that is the constitution,” said Mr Mudavadi.

Read: Zero sum game: Biggest losers in Sifuna’s rise

He cited Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia, saying even sweeping the region would not guarantee victory without substantial support elsewhere.

“Let us not cheat ourselves that it will be easy; we need much more. Raila used to get 6.5 million votes and Ruto 6.7 million votes; even if you deduct 2 million votes to go to you, do the math. Even if you say you have gone with the votes, they still wouldn’t be enough if you don’t have others elsewhere,” added Mr Mudavadi.

He urged Western voters to support President William Ruto, predicting that the President would secure a decisive victory in 2027.

Mr Wetang’ula, speaking at his Kabuchai home in Bungoma, similarly warned against backing inexperienced presidential aspirants, saying the presidency requires years of political preparation.

“You cannot wake up today and say you want to be president without any track record,” said Mr Wetang’ula.

“Our former presidents had to walk long political journeys that equipped them with diverse experience to occupy the State House and manage the affairs of the country and beyond,” added the Speaker.

Mr Wetang’ula argued that Western Kenya’s best chance of producing a president would come in 2032 rather than 2027. He cited former presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, as well as President Ruto, as leaders who rose through various political positions before reaching State House.

Read: No longer at ease: How Sifuna is eroding influence of regional bigwigs

The remarks come amid growing factionalism in Western Kenya, where at least four political blocs are positioning themselves ahead of 2027.

Mr Sifuna heads the Linda Mwananchi opposition camp, which includes Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Bumula MP Wanami Namboka and Butula MP Oundo Mudenyo.

Moses Wetang'ula and Aron Cheruiyot — National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula (right) and Senate Majority Leader Aron Cheruiyot, who were accompanied by broad-based government leaders, during a Ruto 'Tutam Rally' in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County on July 03, 2026.

Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group

The second bloc is aligned with the broad-based government and includes Mr Mudavadi, Mr Wetang’ula, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli.

A separate group of Kakamega MPs is pushing for Mr Oparanya to become President Ruto’s running mate. At the same time, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa heads another opposition camp that includes Mumias East MP Peter Salasya and former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.

"What is the end game of Mr Sifuna's camp and their end game? Are they really interested in removing Ruto, or are they focusing on becoming Luhya Kingpin?" posed Mr Salasya.

"When Sifuna was the Secretary General of ODM, why didn't he speak about the Unity of Luhya? They are concentrating on raising a regional kingpin rather than removing Ruto from power," said the Mumias MP who has Mr Wamalwa in the United Opposition camp.

Mr Wamalwa’s camp has already announced plans to field a candidate against Governor Natembeya in the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial race, further exposing divisions within the region.

Read: Checkmating Sifuna: Senator's rising star rattles rivals in Western

Even as the battle from various camps intensifies, Mr Sifuna’s growing popularity has unsettled some broad-based government politicians, particularly at funerals and fundraising events where leaders opposed to him have occasionally faced hostile receptions.

The senator’s rising fortunes are also reflected in opinion polls. The latest TIFA Research survey, conducted between June 13 and 22 among 2,048 respondents across nine regions, placed President Ruto at 24 per cent, unchanged from May.

Mr Sifuna came second at 15 per cent, up from 10 per cent in May and from negligible support in late 2025. The poll also placed him ahead of other presidential hopefuls in Western Kenya.

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codongo@ke.nationmedia.com