A section of leaders drawn from Western Kenya have declared that they will no longer host opposition politics in the region.
Speaking when they met Deputy President William Ruto at his Karen residence in Nairobi on Thursday, the group said that the region will instead back the government.
The politicians, among them 10 lawmakers, also pledged their support for Ruto's 2022 presidential bid, assuring him of their backing as he seeks to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Bumula Member of Parliament Moses Mabonga said that Western Kenya has decided to collaborate with the government side to benefit from state initiatives.
This, he said, is as opposed to the opposition side which has nothing to offer.
“We do not want to remain behind in terms of development again. We are going to have friends who will change the lives of the people,” he was quoted by the Citizen Digital.
On his side, Ruto expressed the government's commitment to open up each and every corner of the nation through development.
He added that his ongoing efforts have nothing to do with his political ambitions but to create partners and unity for the sake of the nation.
"Transforming this country calls for us to bring together our strengths and work together so that we can been benefit from the economies of scale,” he said.
Present leaders included Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Emanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Rashid Echesa (Sports Cabinet Secretary) and former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.