Homa Bay residents criticise leaders for boycotting Ruto's tour

Some Homa Bay residents have criticised elected leaders for giving a wide berth to the prayer function attended by President William Ruto.

Ruto on Sunday attended a prayer service at Africa Inland Church in Homa Bay town where he conducted a funds drive to aid construction of the church.

All elected leaders in Homa Bay including Governor Gladys Wanga and her deputy Oyugi Magwanga were absent. 

Wanga said she failed to attend because she got the information late when she was already out of the county. Senator Moses Kajwang, MPs Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town) and Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) said they were not invited.

“I would have attended the meeting but I got the invitation late. I have no problem with the President,” Wanga said.

“Let nobody talk of a boycott. I was not invited,” Kajwang’ said.

However, the explanations have not gone down well with some residents who have expressed their anger.

Homa Bay secretary for the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Abdul Masud, UDA youth leader Evans Oloo, businessmen Michael Odhiambo, Ken Aloso and Moses Bala are among those who have condemned the leaders for boycotting the function.

Oloo said the leaders failed them because that was an opportunity for them air out some of the challenges facing the county to the President.

They claimed the leaders played cheap politics which cannot stand the test of time.

“The leaders are our representatives and they should have used the opportunity to lobby for projects which are beneficial to the people. They should have been there to show solidarity,” Oloo said.

Masud said attending the function could create a good picture of cooperation between Homa Bay leaders and the President

“Ruto promised to work with the elected leaders but it is unfortunate they were absent,” Masud said.

Odhiambo argued that development requires the goodwill of the state and that can only be achieved through interactions.

“We have the national government development projects which should be done in Homa Bay. Our leaders should liaise with the President to secure his goodwill,” he said.

Aloso and Bala said it is no longer time for playing politics and leaders should avoid such moves that may deny residents the much-needed development projects.

They asked leaders to focus on the interest of the electorate rather than a political party.

“We should avoid retrogressive politics and focus on the wellbeing of the people,” Aloso said.

The leaders who accompanied Ruto were ICT CS nominee Eliud Owalo, MPs David Ochieng (Ugenya), Mathias Robi (Kuria West), Marwa Kitayama (Kuria East),  Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Lake Basin Development Authority managing director Raymond Omollo.

Others were former MPs Silvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul), Martin Ogindo (Rangwe), Dalmas Otieno (Rongo), Jared Kopiyo (Awendo), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), former Kisumu senator Fred Outa and former LBDA chairman Odoyo Owidi.