Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has made his long-term political ambitions clear: he wants to run for president in 2032, not serve as President William Ruto’s running mate in 2027.
Mudavadi made the remarks during a televised interview on Sunday night, drawing a clear line between his support for President Ruto’s re-election and his own political plans beyond the next election.
“I am not asking to be a running mate. 2032, I am saying is my interest for the presidency. I am not speaking about 2027,” Mudavadi said.
He said his immediate priority remained helping President Ruto secure a second term. His support, he added, was not dependent on being rewarded with a position on the 2027 ticket.
“My support for him is not conditional on a position,” Mudavadi said, adding that the decision on who serves as Ruto’s running mate would ultimately be the President’s.
Kindiki remains in the position
Mudavadi also pushed back against growing debate over the Deputy President’s position, saying it was not vacant.
He defended Kithure Kindiki, who has faced increasing speculation over whether he will retain the position on President Ruto’s 2027 ticket.
“As far as I’m concerned, the position is not vacant. DP Kindiki is in place. He’s doing a good job,” Mudavadi said.
Kindiki himself has previously said he expects to remain President Ruto’s running mate in 2027. In July, he said he would retain the position and also indicated that he intends to seek the presidency in 2032.
The question of President Ruto’s running mate has nevertheless become a subject of growing political interest, with leaders from different parts of the country positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
A recent Infotrak poll found Kindiki leading among those surveyed as the preferred running mate, with 34 per cent, while 37 per cent were undecided. Gladys Wanga followed at 11 per cent, while Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula each registered 2 per cent.
A longer political horizon
Mudavadi’s declaration is not entirely new. In July, he said he was no longer interested in the deputy position and wanted to pursue the presidency in 2032.
His latest remarks reinforce that position while keeping him firmly aligned with Ruto for the 2027 contest.
For now, Mudavadi appears to be drawing a distinction between the two political races: support President Ruto in 2027, then pursue his own presidential ambitions five years later.
The 2032 contest is still distant. But Mudavadi’s declaration adds another name to what is already shaping up to be a closely watched succession battle.
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