Ruto returns to Kisumu weeks after Sifuna rally

The visit is expected to carry both national and political significance ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ruto is expected to be the chief guest as the prestigious institution marks 120 years since its establishment.

The celebrations will bring together education stakeholders, alumni, teachers, students, religious leaders and senior government officials from across the country.

Beyond the anniversary celebrations, however, the President’s visit is likely to be closely watched for its political undertones, coinciding with his intensified efforts to make inroads into the region.

Long considered an opposition stronghold, the breakaway ODM team led by Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino has mounted an onslaught aimed at eating into the gains made so far.

About three weeks ago, the Linda Mwananchi team staged a mammoth rally in Kisumu that some analysts said signalled the fluidity of Nyanza politics following the death of Raila Odinga.

Maseno School is one of the country’s oldest and most influential learning institutions.

The school has produced some of the country’s most prominent leaders, professionals and scholars, making Saturday’s event one of symbolic and historical significance.

Ruto’s visit comes amid heightened political activity in Nyanza following his cooperation pact with ODM, a development that has significantly altered the country’s political landscape.

President Ruto has recently maintained a high-frequency, development-focused engagement with the Nyanza region, conducting extensive tours to commission infrastructure projects.

His last tour included a major four-day visit in March, during which he was joined by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for the launch of the Standard Gauge Railway extension to Malaba.

The trips are aimed at boosting development in former opposition strongholds, including Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori and Siaya counties.

In recent months, the government has stepped up development promises and state-backed projects in the region, particularly in infrastructure, fisheries, roads and the blue economy, areas seen as critical to winning political goodwill.

Among the ventures Ruto has initiated in the region are the Mageta Island Solar PV Mini Grid, Siaya ESP Market, Siaya Rice Mill and the Oyugis Water Project.

He also launched the Rusinga Ring Road in Homa Bay and the Ngere-Mapera Road in Migori and inspected the Lower Kuja Irrigation Project.

Ruto also presided over high-profile meetings at the Kisumu State Lodge and attended thanksgiving services for CSs John Mbadi, Opiyo Wandayi, and PS Dr Ouma Oluga.

The broad-based political arrangement not only eased tensions that had defined relations between the government and the opposition over the last two years, but also opened the door for increased state engagement in the region.

Senior government officials are now making more frequent visits to counties that were previously hostile political territory for Kenya Kwanza.

Political observers say the President’s appearance at Maseno could be part of a broader strategy to consolidate ties with local leaders and gradually soften resistance to his administration in Luo Nyanza.

“It is a sign he has the region’s interests at heart, just as he has spread intentional interventions to other parts of the country,” said lawyer Ambrose Weda.

He said the region was upbeat ahead of the visit, adding that “the region’s leaders could use the visit to push for more development projects and implementation of those already in progress”.

The President has also repeatedly signalled his intention to govern inclusively, insisting that regions which did not vote for him would not be sidelined in development allocations.

Saturday’s event is expected to attract leaders from across the political divide, including elected officials from Kisumu and neighbouring counties.

The anniversary celebration is expected to focus on Maseno School’s legacy in shaping the country’s education sector over the last 120 years.

Founded by missionaries in 1906, the institution has grown into one of the country’s top-performing national schools and remains a major academic and cultural landmark in western Kenya.

Organisers say the celebrations will honour the school’s contribution to leadership development, academic excellence and national unity, while also highlighting the challenges facing the education sector.

The presence of the President is expected to elevate the profile of the event, with attention likely to shift to possible political messages from both local leaders and the Head of State.

Ruto has, in recent months, used public functions outside his political base to project national unity and expand his support network as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of 2027.

His Nyanza visit also comes against the backdrop of heated succession calculations within both the ruling coalition and opposition ranks, with leaders keenly watching the evolving relationship between Kenya Kwanza and ODM.