Ruto promises major projects in first Nyanza tour

President William Ruto on Sunday started a charm offensive to win confidence and support of the Nyanza people.

Nyanza has been considered ODM and Azimo leader Raila Odinga's home turf. That's where Ruto went on his first trip outside Nairobi as head of state. 

Ruto promised to accommodate Raila and ensure he lives a good life as a senior citizen.

Ruto attended a church service cum-fundraiser for Southern Nyanza Africa Inland Church in Homa Bay town.

In his speech, the President said that was the first of the many visits he will make to Homa Bay and by extension, Nyanza region to revitalise a number of stalled state projects.

He said his administration will erect development projects in every part of the country regardless of how the people voted.

“I thank the people of Nyanza for the peace they demonstrated during and after the elections. I promise to work closely with your elected leaders to implement the economic plans we have for the region,” Ruto said.

Nyanza traditionally has been Raila's home turf.

The region which consists of six counties — Kisumu, Homa Bay, Kisii, Nyamira, Siaya and Migori has been overwhelmingly voting for Raila during presidential elections.

Raila has always bagged the most votes in Nyanza against his opponents since the 2007 general election.

In the last general election, he defeated defeat Ruto in the region.

However, many local leaders led by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga were absent during the Ruto visit. Political pundit Patrick Agwagra says this spoke volumes on the political future of the fear of the region.

None of the Homa Bay MCAs attended the function as they were in Mombasa for an induction workshop.

Agwagra says Ruto wants to win the confidence of the Nyanza people, especially Homa Bay, Kisumu, Migori and Siaya counties who never voted for him.

He said Ruto is telling Nyanza leaders and their people that he holds no political grudges.

“Ruto is one of the intelligent politicians we currently have in the country. He sees a likelihood of political leadership vacuum in Luo-Nyanza should Raila retire from politics,” Agwagra said.

The political analysts argued that Ruto is an aggressive leader who wants to consolidate and expand his political bases ahead of the 2027 general election.

He says Ruto wants to enter the Nyanza region through the church.

“The President has started engaging residents on the ground by promising to implement development projects which touch on their lives,” he said.

Nyanza leaders who accompanied Ruto were Ugenya MP David Ochieng, Cabinet Secretary nominee for ICT Eliud Owalo, MPs Marwa Kitayama (Kuria East), Mathias Robi (Kuria West) and Ndindi Nyoro( Kiharu).

Others included former governors Okoth Obado (Migori) and Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), former Kisumu Senator Fred Outa and former MPs Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda),Dalmus Otieno (Rongo),  Jared Opiyo (Awendo), Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Martin Ogindo (Rangwe) and Silvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul).

Ruto pledged to accommodate Raila and ensure he lives a good life as a senior citizen.

“Uhuru and Raila are senior citizens who must be respected for serving this country. They are safe in my hands because I will handle them well by ensuring that I get them opportunities to serve the people at other levels,” Ruto said.

Ruto asked residents to feel part and parcel of the Kenya Kwanza government.

In Homa Bay, Ruto promised to commission the construction of 5000 low-cost houses.

The project will be done in phases from November in which 400 houses will be built. The second phase will see 2000 houses constructed next year.

“I will come back to Homa Bay next month to launch the first phase of the low-cost houses project where 400 houses will be built. We’re also going to improve sewerage and water plant in this town to make Homa Bay better,” he said.

Other projects he pledged to revive are cotton farming which he said has been a key economic activity in Homa Bay even though it collapsed.

He said his government will introduce BT cotton seeds that have the ability to endure diseases and other environmental factors which deter the proper yield of other cotton varieties.

“Cabinet will meet and approve BT cotton seeds so that cotton farmers can begin getting high yields. My government must improve the livelihood of the people of Homa Bay,” Ruto said.

He pledged to complete the more than 200 kilometers in Homa Bay which were initiated under former President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime.

The roads include Mbita-Kiabuya-Magunga-Sori road which covers Suba North and Suba South constituencies in Homa Bay and Nyatike constituency in Migori county. 

Other are Kanyadhiang’-Pala-Kandiege-Kadel road in Karachuonyo constituency, Junction Karabok-Adiedo road in Kasipul and Karachuonyo constituencies.

Obado, Ranguma and Gumbo asked Nyanza people to forget the outcome of the elections and work with Ruto.

“Time for campaigns is behind us because we already have a President. We now want service delivery to develop our country,” Obado said.

They asked the President to make more frequent visits and familiarise himself with the people.

“You’re welcomed to Homa Bay anytime,” Osele said.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)