- Western Kenya is seen as Raila's stronghold that has supported him in the last five presidential bids.
- Ruto has intensified his overtures to Raila allies as he plots to consolidate the region.
Image: PSCU
President William Ruto will next week embark on a working tour of Western Kenya.
The Star has established that the President will kick off the extensive trip on December 18.
On Sunday evening the President met a section of politicians from Western Kenya at State House ahead of the tour.
Kakamega governor Farnandes Barasa who was elected on opposition chief Raila Odinga's ODM party attended the meeting.
The session was also attended were Kakamega deputy governor Ayub Savula, Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale and Malava MP Malulu Njendi.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also attended the meeting that planned about Ruto's tour of Kakamega county.
The president has recently intensified meetings with leaders from Western Kenya in what is seen as part of efforts to try to consolidate the region.
The President has also met giant trade unionist Francis Atwoli, his foremost critic in the last polls, signalling thawing of relationships after bitter campaigns.
Atwoli, a key political bigwig from Western Kenya and secretary general of Cotu-Kenya has indicted his support for Ruto's government.
"Accompanied by Senator @KBonimtetezi and Malava Member of Parliament Hon Malulu Injendi, we met President @WilliamsRuto and Deputy President @rigathi at State House, Nairobi ahead of the President's working visit to Kakamega County this week," confirmed Barasa.
Barasa will on Thursday convene a Kakamega County Leaders Forum on Thursday to firm up on a development memorandum that will be presented to Ruto.
The governor is keen forth e National Government to grant a Public-Private Partnership model towards operationalisation of the Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The Ruto administration is said to have agreed to the request during the State Hose meeting in Sunday.
The governor also wants the construction and operationalisation of the Kakamega Gold Refinery in Ikolomani, the revival of Mumias Sugar Company and Expansion of the Kakamega Airstrip.