Luo caucus: Back Ruto, reject calls for protests

Ramogi professionals group, led by chairman Joshua Nyamori, addresses the media in Nairobi on Friday /EZEKIEL AMING’A

A caucus of Luo professionals have urged the community to support President William Ruto’s administration and shun leaders rallying them back to the streets.

The leaders under the umbrella of Ramogi Professional Caucus said constructive engagement is the only path to securing long-term gains.

Speaking in Nairobi on Friday, the group said the community stands to benefit more by working with the government through the broad-based arrangements rather than embracing confrontational politics.

“RPC urges Luo stakeholders to make use of the window that exists to engage constructively within the Broad-Based Government framework for the good of our people,” lawyer Joshua Nyamori said.

“We acknowledge that not everyone shares our positive view of the President and his interventions in Luo land. But it is our considered opinion that even those who disagree with this view should do so in a way that respects both the President and the community and in a way that builds on instead of destroying the gains.”

They praised President Ruto for what they termed visible goodwill toward the region, citing recent development commitments and increased inclusion of Luo technocrats in national initiatives.

 According to the caucus, these gestures demonstrate that the government is ready to collaborate with all communities without discrimination.

“We strongly feel that President Ruto has been magnanimous, respectful and willing to lend an ear to our community,” Nyamori said.

“Other than standing with us as a community, Ruto’s administration has demonstrated a readiness to pursue inclusivity and fairness through appointments to government and development projects. ”

The professionals, numbering over 20, warned that repeated calls for mass action risk derailing progress and alienating potential allies within government.

Nyamori called on residents to remain focused on opportunities presented by the current political climate, insisting that constructive engagement will deliver more meaningful outcomes than returning to the streets.

“We appeal to our people to thoroughly interrogate our approach as we move towards the 2027 election with a view to singling out what has worked and what has failed in the past. It is our appeal that we avoid repeating approaches that have failed in the past,” he said.

“Let us not invite our youths to reject and destroy the many infrastructure projects that the government is rolling out across Nyanza.”

Their calls appear to be targeting Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East Babu Owino who last week told the community to be ready to go to the streets to fight for their rights.

The two leaders made the statements during ODM @20 celebrations in Mombasa last week.

"If ODM is strong and stands on the basis that Raila wanted a free country, we must fight everywhere. If you are afraid, do not sell us fear. We are prepared to go back to the streets. I, as James Orengo, I’m prepared to go back to the streets," Orengo said.

Owino echoed similar sentiment saying the party would not hesitate to return to the streets should the cost of living rise again.

"And I want to assure Raila Odinga wherever he is at this moment; Baba if today the cost of living goes up, we shall demonstrate whether they like it or not," the firebrand lawmaker said.