Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi in Khalaba Village in Matungu Constituency, Kakamega County/HANDOUT

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has mounted a spirited defence of President William Ruto's development record in Western Kenya.

The CS challenged the United Opposition to name its presidential candidate as political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election gather momentum.

Wandayi dismissed the opposition's unity efforts as an exercise in futility, accusing its leaders of lacking tangible development achievements to convince Kenyans to support their political ambitions.

Speaking at Khalaba Village in Matungu Constituency, Kakamega County, the CS urged residents to reject what he termed political enticements, arguing that the current administration was focused on transforming communities through development.

Wandayi was speaking during the commissioning of a last-mile electricity connectivity project, where he announced that the government had set aside Sh165 million to connect 4,000 households in Matungu to electricity.

The allocation is part of the Sh2.5 billion earmarked for electricity connectivity projects across Kakamega County in the current financial year.

During the commissioning, Matungu Kenya Medical Training College, Khalaba Dispensary and Khalaba Secondary School were connected to electricity, alongside 162 households.

Wandayi said the electrification programme was part of the government's commitment to improving access to essential services and creating economic opportunities for residents in the Western and Nyanza regions.

He further urged the electorate to reciprocate the government's development efforts by supporting President Ruto's re-election bid.

The CS was accompanied by Matungu Member of Parliament Oscar Naburundi, who welcomed the electricity connectivity project, saying it would accelerate economic growth in the constituency.

Naburundi said the connection would improve service delivery in local institutions while empowering households and small-scale businesses to expand their economic activities.

The MP thanked the government for considering Matungu in its electrification programme, noting that improved access to electricity would contribute to the area's overall development.

The latest remarks by Wandayi underscore the growing political contestation in Western Kenya, with leaders from both sides of the political divide seeking to consolidate support ahead of the next General Election.