The two political titans are expected to be in Kisumu on Saturday for the official handover of Phase one of the Lapfund Makasembo Affordable Housing Project.
The two will make stopovers to address residents of the lakeside city, the Star has learnt.
Details of the stopovers were not readily available.
This is the first time both President Ruto and Raila will be touring the region jointly since they signed the ODM-UDA pact on March 7; it aims to foster national unity and inclusion.
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o confirmed the joint visit during a courtesy call by Lapfund CEO Bernard Mbogoh.
The governor described the joint tour as a testament to bipartisan commitment to delivering development.
“The presence of both President Ruto and Raila Odinga at this handover is a powerful sign of unity and shared purpose in improving the lives of our people,” Nyong’o said.
The event will mark the completion of 910 housing units under the government’s Affordable Housing Programme and will be both a political and a development milestone.
The high-profile function will also include the groundbreaking of Phase Three of the same project, reinforcing the government’s ongoing investment in quality, affordable urban housing for Kisumu residents.
Before the Makasembo engagement, both Raila and Ruto will be Migori and Homa Bay for a series of engagement before joining up in Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay to celebrate Madaraka Day.
Ruto will be in Migori on Thursday where he will meet grassroots leaders at Sony Sugar Guest house in Awendo constituency.
On the same day, Raila will be the chief guest speaker at the Homa Bay Lake Front for a Blue Economy Conference.
In a statement, Nyong’o praised the progress in the Makasembo project, saying Phase Three will put affordable housing within reach of even more families in the county.
“I’m particularly excited the project includes a kindergarten and daycare centre to support working parents and nurture our young learners,” the governor said.
The project occupies 11.6 acre. It was launched in 2021 through a partnership between Kisumu county and the Local Authorities Pension Fund (Lapfund).
Upon full completion, the development will provide 1,870 housing units and 1,754 parking slots. The homes are categorised into low- and medium-cost brackets to cater to different income levels.
The low-cost units comprise 180 one-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom, and 290 three-bedroom homes, totalling 570 units, with 544 parking spaces. The medium-cost segment features 600 two-bedroom and 700 three-bedroom units, totalling 1,300 homes and 1,210 parking spaces.
The project also integrates preschools, solar energy lighting and other clean energy measures, boreholes, landscaped green spaces, high-speed lifts, play areas, and ample parking, offering an enhanced quality of life.
“This is more than housing. It’s a holistic model for sustainable urban development that creates jobs, boosts the local economy, and promotes dignified living,” Nyong’o said.
The expected joint presence of Ruto and Raila carries a strong political message, amid national calls for inclusivity and shared development, as the two leaders align on key infrastructure projects in Raila’s home turf.
