Western Kenya should shift its focus from political rallies to voter registration if it wants to strengthen its influence in the country's leadership, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has said, calling on churches to lead the campaign to enlist hundreds of thousands of eligible voters before the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the MUCODET and Mothers' Union funds drive at the ACK Diocese of Mumias in Nangili, Matungu Constituency, Kakamega County, on Friday, Wetang'ula appealed to church leaders and members of the Mothers' Union to use their networks to encourage every eligible Kenyan with a national identity card to register with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
He said leaders from the region had established that many eligible residents were yet to register despite already holding national identity cards, a trend he warned could deny Western Kenya the political strength that comes with a larger voter population.
According to the Speaker, about 400,000 people in Kakamega County and another 346,000 in Bungoma County have identity cards but have not enlisted as voters.
"We are appealing to our church leaders to encourage members of their congregations who have acquired national identity cards to register as voters. Those who already have IDs but have not registered should do so without delay," he said.
Wetang'ula reminded residents that elections are decided by those who vote, quoting the popular saying that "bad leaders are elected by good people who fail to vote," and urged every eligible citizen to take voter registration seriously.
He also challenged the Mothers' Union to champion the exercise across Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia counties, saying the region has the capacity to produce more than five million votes if all qualified residents register.
"If we organise ourselves and register every eligible voter, our region will have a stronger voice in national affairs," he said.
The Speaker also urged politicians to conduct campaigns that unite communities and focus on development instead of personal attacks and hostility.
"Politics is not enmity. We do not want insults or exchanges of abusive language. We want politics that focuses on development and improving the lives of our people," he said.
Wetang'ula defended President William Ruto's record in Western Kenya, saying the current administration had revived projects that had stalled for years while investing in new development programmes across the region.
He cited the reopening of Mumias and Nzoia sugar factories, ongoing works at Bukhungu Stadium and the Level Six Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kakamega, construction of modern markets and plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba.
He also said reforms introduced in the sugar industry would ensure cane farmers benefit directly through annual bonuses after millers make profits.
"The government has introduced reforms to ensure that sugar millers harvest cane, process it, sell sugar and share bonuses with farmers at the end of every year. These are some of the changes this administration is making to improve farmers' livelihoods," he said.
Wetang'ula said the ongoing development projects and an improving economy were already driving growth in towns and business centres across Western Kenya.
He added that although the region had for years felt left behind in national development, it was now receiving a fair share of government investment under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Looking ahead to future elections, the Speaker urged leaders from the region to build their political ambitions patiently instead of rushing to seek the presidency.
"Across the country, every region is planning for the future. Leadership is a journey. Those who have led this country built their careers over many years before becoming president. We should also remain patient and strategic," he said.
Wetang'ula also encouraged the Mothers' Union to continue mentoring young people, saying the church remains an important pillar in promoting moral values, responsible citizenship and national unity.