By John Mutiso
Kakamega deputy governor and Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) deputy leader Ayubu Savula has dealt a major blow to the opposition after officially defecting to President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The move is expected to reshape political alignments in Western Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Savula announced his exit from DAP-K on Tuesday, January 6, after holding consultations with members of Parliament from Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia counties during a meeting at Golf Hotel in Kakamega.
He said he could no longer remain in a political outfit that positions itself in opposition to the government.
“I cannot stay in opposition because they have nothing to offer, and from today I am not their member,” Savula declared.
The Kakamega deputy governor said his decision was informed by what he described as tangible development projects initiated by the Kenya Kwanza administration in Western Kenya, including the construction of hospitals and other infrastructure.
Savula further revealed that UDA had entrusted him with a key political role at the grassroots, where he will serve as deputy to Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka in mobilising support for the ruling party across the region.
Speaking at the same forum, Lusaka launched a sharp attack on the opposition, accusing it of lacking a clear manifesto capable of challenging Ruto in the next election.
He dismissed the “Tawe” slogan popularised by Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya, insisting it had no political relevance in Western Kenya.
Lusaka also disclosed that Ruto had personally mandated him to spearhead UDA mobilisation efforts as the party gears up for primaries and the 2027 polls.
“We have agreed to popularise the UDA party in Western by all means. Opposition has no place, and we will make sure it is dead,” Lusaka said.
Savula echoed the governor’s remarks, insisting that UDA was now the only political vehicle capable of delivering development to Kenyans, while opposition politics had become a dead end.
According to Savula, opposition leaders should abandon any hopes of winning the 2027 elections, arguing that they lack a formidable candidate to face President Ruto.
“The opposition is clueless; they lack the power to challenge William Ruto, and that is why you have decided to leave them,” Savula added.
His remarks follow recent comments made during the burial of Kibunguchy, where Savula openly defended the Kenya Kwanza administration and took aim at his former party leader, DAP-K boss Eugene Wamalwa.
At the time, Savula claimed Wamalwa lacked the political weight to unseat Ruto.
In recent months, Savula has emerged as a vocal critic of the united opposition, repeatedly urging its leaders to dissolve their parties and rally behind UDA, arguing that only the ruling party has the capacity to deliver meaningful development.
