Mudavadi’s Plans to Bolt Out of Government Revealed Amid Rising Tensions

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is reportedly contemplating a dramatic exit from President William Ruto’s government, according to sources cited in a recent “Talk of Town” report.

The revelation comes amid growing political tensions in Western Kenya and a noticeable rift between Mudavadi and the President, fueling speculation about his next move.

The “Talk of Town”, titled “Big man shaken after high voltage call,” disclosed that a powerful Cabinet Secretary—believed to be Mudavadi—received a stern warning from a high office about his alleged plans to leave the government.

The report by NMG claimed the Cabinet Secretary was so shaken that he issued a public clarification of his commitment, though sources say he remains unhappy with the current broad-based government arrangement, particularly since the opposition joined the administration.

“The CS confided in his colleague that the President gives him the attention he used to get before the opposition joined the government,” the article noted, adding that the official is now under close State surveillance.

Mudavadi’s recent actions have only intensified the rumors.

Earlier this year, he was forced to publicly distance himself from the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), a new political party formed by his close allies. Political analysts interpret this as a direct warning to Ruto, especially after Mudavadi dissolved his Amani National Congress (ANC) and merged it with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

“The formation of DNA could be Mudavadi’s fallback plan,” a source told Nation, highlighting the underlying friction within the government (Nation, 2025).

Adding to the speculation, Mudavadi has been noticeably absent from public events alongside President Ruto, a stark contrast to their previously visible partnership.

This absence has led many to question whether Ruto still values Mudavadi’s role, especially as the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s influence in Luhya politics appears to wane.

Analysts believe Raila Odinga’s entrance to the government with Ruto under broad-based political arrangement, has further rendered Mudavadi irrelevant.

In Western Kenya, the political landscape is shifting rapidly. Local leaders, including MP John Salasya, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, and former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, have openly opposed the government, accusing Ruto of failing to deliver on a promised 30% stake in government positions for the region. They have also blamed Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula for prioritizing personal interests over the community’s needs. “Mudavadi and Wetangula are selfish—they’ve forgotten the Luhya people,” Natembeya recently stated at a public rally. This growing dissent has further isolated Mudavadi, potentially pushing him closer to the periphery of power.

Despite the rumors, Mudavadi’s office has issued a firm denial. In a statement, Director of Press Service Jacob Ng’etich emphasized that Mudavadi remains “firmly in government” and dismissed the speculations as baseless (The Standard, 2025). The statement highlighted the voluntary merger of ANC with UDA and noted that former ANC officials now hold key positions in the ruling party. However, the official denial has done little to quell the grapevine, which continues to buzz with talk of Mudavadi’s discontent.

Political analysts suggest that Mudavadi’s diminishing relevance in Western Kenya may be a key factor in Ruto’s apparent reluctance to retain him. “Mudavadi has lost ground in Luhya politics, and Ruto might see him as expendable now,” said Dr. Jane Atieno, a political science lecturer at the University of Nairobi. If Mudavadi were to leave, it could trigger a significant realignment of political forces, particularly in Western Kenya, and potentially destabilize Ruto’s broad-based government.

As the speculation mounts, all eyes are on Mudavadi’s next move. Will he stay and fight for his position, or is this the beginning of a new chapter for the veteran politician? Only time will tell.