"Take The Next Flight And Come To Nairobi": Ken Lusaka Details How Ruto Made Him Senate Speaker

• President William Ruto's visit to the Western region has exposed how he partnered with leaders across the county before the 2022 General Election
• Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka mentioned how Ruto helped him secure the Senate Speaker position
• Lusaka lauded the president for prioritising the region in terms of development and government appointments

Bungoma - Governor Kenneth Lusaka has disclosed how he became Senate Speaker from 2017 to 2022.

Lusaka narrated how a phone call to President William Ruto in 2017, then a deputy president, secured him the powerful position in the Senate.

Speaking at an event attended by the president, Lusaka said he called Ruto after losing his bid for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat by 20,000 votes.

"In 2017, when I did not make it as a governor, I called the president, who was the deputy president, and then he asked me the vote difference between the winner and me. I told him 20,000 votes. He told me to board the next flight to Nairobi. I went, and he told me to leave it to God," a jovial Lusaka said.

Kenneth Lusaka: A role I knew nothing about

Clueless about the role of a Senate Speaker, Lusaka said Ruto wanted him to take the position.

"I want you to be my Speaker. I told him that I had never been a member of parliament; I was not a lawyer. He told me he wanted me to be the Speaker and that I should keep it a secret because I would miss the chance if it got into the public eye. I never even told my wife. I said if I mentioned it, it would be known, and I would lose the chance," he narrated.

In a video shared by Politics 001 on TikTok, the county boss appreciated the president for the opportunity and for honouring the Bungoma people.

"Thank you, president, I owe it to you for giving me that opportunity to serve as the Speaker of the Senate. I know the president endorsed it, but it came from you, and I owe it to you for giving us the honour of passing the mantle to Moses Wetang'ula as the National Assembly Speaker," he said.

The Bungoma county governor said the region was blessed because Ruto had prioritised it in government appointments and development projects.

Francis Atwoli: 2027 will be walkover for Ruto

Speaking at the same event, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said Ruto had cemented the Western support base and, therefore, would be unbeaten in 2027.

Atwoli said the president had visited the region more than once, and his bromance with the Luhya community could not be wished away.

He said the next Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) would come from Kakamega county.