TWV Team
President William Ruto’s conspicuous absence from Ababu Namwamba’s mother’s funeral in Busia last week has fueled intense speculation about widening cracks within the UDA party establishment. Namwamba, long seen as a close Ruto ally, is now at the center of questions over his standing in the party.
Yet, while mourners had expected Ruto to attend the burial, or at the very least send his deputy or a senior emissary, the President neither showed up nor delegated representation. Equally striking was the absence of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, both influential leaders from Western Kenya within Ruto’s inner circle.
In contrast, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i made an appearance, and his warm reception further deepened speculation about shifting alliances. This heightened focus on Namwamba’s possible realignment underlines the greater implications for UDA unity as 2027 approaches.
Analysts argue that Namwamba’s strained relationships with Mudavadi and Wetang’ula contributed to his backing of Ruto and eventual dismissal as Sports CS, revealing deeper rifts that now threaten party cohesion.
This perceived rift may explain why none of the three, Ruto, Mudavadi, or Wetang’ula, felt compelled to honour Namwamba’s family during their hour of grief. To compound matters, Ruto was seen in neighbouring Siaya County the following day, where he attended a church service and donated Sh20 million, a gesture that reinforced suspicions of a deliberate snub.
The question now troubling Western Kenya’s political landscape is whether Namwamba is repositioning himself ahead of 2027. His almost veiled endorsement of Matiang’i, a potential presidential contender, has unsettled leaders across the Luhya political spectrum. Analysts caution that Matiang’i could be using Namwamba as an entry point into Luhya politics, though whether he can translate this into meaningful votes remains uncertain.
For now, the episode has laid bare the fragile alliances binding Ruto, Mudavadi, and Wetang’ula to Namwamba. What was meant to be a solemn occasion has instead exposed fault lines that could shape Kenya’s political chessboard in the years ahead.
