President William Ruto's bid for a second term received another political boost on Monday after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula called on women in Bungoma County to take the lead in mobilising voters, saying the government's development record had earned it another five years in office.
Addressing women drawn from all the nine constituencies of Bungoma County at Mabanga Farmers Training Centre (FTC), Wetang'ula urged them to begin encouraging eligible residents to register as voters and support President Ruto's re-election in the 2027 General Election.
He said the Kenya Kwanza administration had fulfilled key promises made during the 2022 campaigns through investments in agriculture, roads, healthcare and market infrastructure, adding that the projects had directly improved the lives of residents.
The Speaker was accompanied by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, Tongaren MP John Chikati, Kanduyi MP John Makali, Webuye East MP Martin Pepela, Mount Elgon MP Fred Kapondi, Nominated Senator Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi and Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga.
Wetang'ula pointed to the reduction in the cost of subsidised fertiliser from Sh7,500 to Sh2,500 as one of the government's major achievements, saying farmers across the country were now producing at a lower cost.
"We promised during our campaigns to reduce the price of fertiliser from Sh7,500 to Sh2,500 and the President has already fulfilled that promise," he said.
He also defended the government's decision to lease Nzoia Sugar Company, saying the factory had returned to operation after years of decline and farmers were no longer waiting for years to receive payments.
"When we were campaigning, Nzoia Sugar Company was completely dead. Farmers would deliver cane and wait for up to two years to be paid. Today the land is being cultivated, cane is being milled and farmers are being paid on time," he said.
Wetang'ula dismissed criticism surrounding the leasing programme, saying those opposing the move were pursuing political interests instead of standing with sugarcane farmers.
"Those opposing the revival are not cane farmers. They are simply using the sugar industry as a political tool," he added.
He said Bungoma had continued to benefit from several national government projects, among them the passport application centre, Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, modern markets and the planned Level Six Teaching and Referral Hospital.
According to the Speaker, the hospital will be constructed at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Sichei campus through a Sh10 billion package made up of Sh8 billion from the African Development Bank and Sh2 billion from the national government. He added that President Ruto is expected to commission the project in October.
Wetang'ula also announced that the government had set aside Sh7 billion in the current financial year to begin expanding the Malaba-Webuye-Eldoret highway into a dual carriageway, saying the project will improve transport and ease movement of goods along the Northern Corridor.
He explained that contractors working from Nairobi would eventually connect with those beginning construction from Malaba, completing the road from Mombasa to the Uganda border.
The Speaker further said the Standard Gauge Railway extension would continue through western Kenya to Malaba, adding that Mianga had been identified as Bungoma County's railway station.
"The SGR did not end in Naivasha. President Ruto's administration is extending it through Narok, Kisumu, Luanda, Butere, Mumias, Bumula and finally Malaba. Bungoma residents will board the train at Mianga and travel to Nairobi in about four hours," he said.
Wetang'ula credited President Ruto for maintaining a close focus on Bungoma's development, noting that the Head of State had visited the county more than six times since taking office to launch projects.
"Since assuming office, President Ruto has visited Bungoma more than six times. He comes here to launch development projects, not for politics," he said.
He also highlighted the construction of modern markets in Webuye, Naitiri, Cheptais, Sirisia, Bungoma town and Chwele, saying each facility, valued at about Sh300 million, would provide women traders with improved working conditions, including breastfeeding rooms.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula addressing women in Bungoma County on July 13, 2026.
PHOTO/SPU
Wetang'ula assured residents that funding had been provided to complete stalled road projects, including the Misikhu-Brigadier, Maeni-Kapchokony and Misikoma-Kakamega roads.
As he turned to politics, the Speaker urged women to become ambassadors for President Ruto's re-election, arguing that previous presidents had served for at least two terms and the current Head of State deserved the same opportunity.
"We have had presidents who served 10 years, 15 years and even 24 years. Why should President William Ruto, who is transforming the country, be denied a second term?" he posed.
Wetang'ula said the women present had endorsed what he called the "Mabanga Declaration", committing themselves to support President Ruto's second-term bid.
"The train has already left the station. The mothers of Bungoma are on board, and we want President Ruto to secure a second term," he said.
He also appealed to women to help increase voter registration by encouraging young people to acquire national identity cards and register as voters.
"We want you mothers to be our ambassadors. Encourage young people to acquire identity cards and register as voters. Even those married across the border are entitled to IDs if they are Kenyan citizens. Let us ensure every eligible voter is registered," he said.