Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has inaugurated the Magharibi Movement Initiative, a Western Kenya lobby group aimed at mobilising support for President William Ruto's administration and increasing voter registration ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The launch took place at Kakamega School on Saturday, drawing political and community leaders from the region. While the movement supports Ruto's re-election campaign, Mudavadi emphasised that its mission extends beyond politics to focus on the welfare and development of Western Kenya.

Beyond Politics: A Development-Focused Lobby

"This is not just a political movement. It is a lobby group about the welfare and wellbeing of our community," Mudavadi said. He stressed that although the 2027 election is a key milestone, the initiative will continue addressing regional issues beyond the electoral cycle.

The Magharibi Movement will serve as a platform for residents to engage on matters of political representation, development, and other concerns affecting the Western region.

Voter Registration as a Priority

A central focus of the initiative is to boost voter registration in Western Kenya. Mudavadi highlighted that political influence depends largely on the number of registered voters who turn out to vote.

To this end, the movement plans to collaborate with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to facilitate voter registration during political and community events.

"Elections shall not be won by slogans. Slogans do not vote and do not win elections. It is all about going to the polling station and casting the ballot paper into that ballot box," Mudavadi remarked.

Current Voter Registration Statistics

According to Mudavadi, Western Kenya had about 2.6 million registered voters in the 2022 General Election. IEBC projections indicate the figure has risen to approximately 2.9 million as of July 2026, an increase of roughly 300,000 voters. However, this remains below the region's target of 3.4 million registered voters.

Mudavadi encouraged members of the movement to start voter registration drives within their own families by identifying eligible youths with national ID cards who have yet to register.

"We are not doing well in voter registration compared to other regions," he noted, urging immediate action to close the gap.

Regional Unity

The Magharibi Movement launch followed a meeting between Mudavadi and the four Western Kenya governors, where they agreed to coordinate efforts and advocate for the region's common interests.