Eyes on Azimio leaders as Ruto tours Raila's turf

As President William Ruto begins his second visit to Luo Nyanza on Friday, eyes are on Azimio leaders from the region.

Will they join the President on his two-day tour?

When Ruto toured Homa Bay last October many local leaders gave the event a wide berth. 

However, a lot has changed since then, just recently the Azimio leader Raila Odinga encouraged all governors in the jumbo coalition to work with the national government.

Early into his administration, the President appears keen to penetrate Luo Nyanza and gain acceptance ahead of the next general election. 

To achieve this, the president has his hopes on the communication and ICT CS David Owalo.

Ugenya MP David Ochieng and Suba South legislator Caroli Omondi are seemingly the only elected MPs leaning toward Ruto.

Others are former Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma, ex senator Fred Outa, former nominated senator Rose Nyamunga and former Migori governor Okoth Obado.

Former MPs Martin Ongindo, Dalmas Otieno, Sylvanus Osele and former Lake Basin Development Authority chairman Odoyo Owidi.

The team recently met in Nairobi to prepare the ground for the President's visit. Controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna was also present.

Many residents are keen to hear what the President will say about projects that were initiated by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta during the handshake era.

In Kisumu, the Mamboleo flyover project has stalled for several months and the contractor is no longer on site.  

The Miwani-Muhoroni-Chemelil Road project has also stalled and so is the  Ahero interchange.

Addressing journalists ahead of the visit, State House spokesman Hussein Mohammed on Thursday said that the president will be in Kisumu, Homa Bay to launch and commission various projects. 

Mohamed said the president will launch the first phase of the affordable housing units in Homa Bay.

The project will later cover Oyugis, Kendu Bay and Mbita in subsequent stages of implementation and is expected to provide jobs to suppliers of building materials and those in the Jua Kali sector.

The Head of State will also commission the Homa Bay municipal market.

The spokesman said the market is expected to provide space for trade in agricultural products and boost the county's economy.

On Saturday the President is expected to preside over the launch of the Blue Economy research hub at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of science and technology (JOOUST) in Siaya county.

"There is more in the President's two-day tour of the region, including intervention in agriculture and infrastructure," the spokesman's statement read.

Speaking in Rarieda, Siaya county, CS Owalo said the Kenya Kwanza administration is keen on politics of development.

He said the focus of Ruto's administration is improved roads, irrigation and addressing the plight of fishermen.

"We have no time for politics of division and empty rhetoric. Our politics will be people-centred. Focusing on improving the lives by building roads, electricity connection and food security," he said.

Ex-governor Ranguma who accompanied the CS said they are prepared to seek support from the Ruto administration and urge him to deliver development projects to the people of Nyanza.

"We can't keep saying we are not poor and we don't need government support. That's a lie because even those who need to grow their business can occasionally turn to the banks to ask for loans," Ranguma said.

"There's nothing wrong with asking for support if you lack it."

Rose Nyamunga who also joined Owalo at a function said a lot of resources are still held by the national government and it was strategic for the local leaders to team up with the current administration to spur development.

"We only get 15 per cent of the revenue allocation back to the counties. It is therefore a duty for us to work closely with the government for the benefit of our people," She said.