Moses Budamba Mudavadi is the eldest child of Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Prime Minister’s Office, Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi, and Tessie Shangatti Mudavadi. He is the firstborn in a family of three and the elder brother of Michael Mudavadi and Maryanne Mudavadi.
His name carries deep political significance, passed down from his grandfather, the late Moses Substone Budamba Mudavadi (1923–1989), a respected and influential leader often referred to as the “King of Mululu.”
The senior Mudavadi served as Sabatia MP and held key ministerial roles in Education, Water Development, and Local Government under Presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi.
His father, Musalia Mudavadi, has also shaped national politics for decades, having held senior positions such as Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and now Prime Cabinet Secretary in President William Ruto’s administration.
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In November 2025, Moses Budamba married Qillian Ndeso Saiya in a ceremony at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi, attended by President William Ruto and other national leaders.
Qillian is the daughter of William Atswenje Saiya, a former Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU), and Naomi Masitsa Shiyonga, a former nominated Senator (2017–2022).
In early 2025, the couple held a traditional wedding in September at the bride’s family home in Malava, Kakamega County. Qillian distinguished herself early in her academic career, scoring an A plain with 83 points in the 2015 KCSE examinations at Moi High School Kabarak during the strict reforms of Education CS Fred Matiang’i.
She later pursued a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Sheffield in the UK.
Upon returning to Kenya, she joined KeNHA as an intern in 2021 and rose to a full engineering role by 2023, contributing to major national infrastructure projects.
Moses Budamba’s Entry Into Politics
Recently, Moses Budamba Mudavadi announced his intention to vie for the Westlands parliamentary seat in the 2027 general elections under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
Also Read: Mudavadi’s Son Joins Westlands MP Race Ahead of 2027 Elections
His candidacy positions him in one of Nairobi’s most competitive political arenas. Moses says he is committed to grassroots development and service delivery, stating:
“This is my personal decision, and I have not been influenced or persuaded by anyone. I want to see the people of Westlands benefit from real grassroots services. My focus is on the welfare of the people and development for Westlands,” Mudamba told local media.
Although he comes from a prominent political family, Moses stresses that he seeks to build an independent political identity. He explains:
“I am the son of the Prime Cabinet Secretary; that is a fact. But that does not mean I am not myself, Moses. I might borrow from his experience, but I am going for the seat as a UDA aspirant in my own name.”
He adds that his campaign prioritizes agenda and performance over tribe, religion, or family name.
A Competitive Race Ahead
The Westlands race is shaping up to be one of the most contested in Nairobi, with Moses Budamba joining a lineup with other strong aspirants.
Among those expected to challenge him are former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi, likely to run on a Democratic Congress Party (DCP) ticket; Mike Gumo, son of former MP Fred Gumo; Alex Matere; and Alvin Olando (Palapala) under ODM.
The competition is intensified by the exit of the current MP, Tim Wanyonyi, who is stepping aside after serving three terms.
As the campaigns gather momentum, Moses will aim to prove that his youthful energy, development agenda, and grassroots focus can resonate with Westlands voters.
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