Western Kenya politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto have embarked on establishing a powerful and far-flung network that will propel their preferred candidate to the State House in 2022.
Western is Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi's political stronghold but Ruto's allies are determined to snatch it from him.
Led by former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, the leaders have adopted a campaign plan that will ensure the DP emerges with a resounding victory from the region that overwhelmingly supported former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the last polls.
Barasa disclosed they have already formed grassroots campaign teams which have been making inroads in the five Luhya dominated counties of Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga and Busia.
“Our strategy involves raiding the opponent’s camps in the region to win support. We are keen to work with them so that we have a formidable team backing the DP in Western," he said in an interview with Saturday Nation.
However, the vocal MP noted Vihiga and Busia counties were yet to warm up to Ruto's camp as they were still rallying behind Raila who is expected to make a fifth attempt at the presidency in the next general election.
Lately, Ruto has been holding numerous rallies in the populous region which have seen several politicians decamping to his camp.
On Saturday, he was expected to attend a women’s function at Nabwani in Sabatia constituency, Vihiga County.
Khalwale recently predicted Western Kenya will soon be won over by the DP.
"We have finally succeeded in attracting humongous audiences into William Ruto rallies in Western. Our region is winnable. Just a matter of time.." he said.