President William Ruto will today make his second return to Kisumu in less than a week as he intensifies his charm offensive in the traditionally opposition-leaning region ahead of the next elections.
The President was in the lakeside city on Friday last week, where he addressed a mammoth crowd at various stopovers after presiding over Uzima University’s 57th graduation.
The back-to-back tours underscore Ruto’s determination to make inroads into the late Raila Odinga’s support base, with Nyanza emerging as a key battleground as early campaigns for 2027 take shape.
Before visiting Kisumu, Ruto was in Kisii, another Raila turf, where he launched National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) and later addressed rallies.
The project is a five-year World Bank-funded Government of Kenya initiative to empower youths to start businesses.
On Friday, Ruto crossed to Kisumu, where he addressed well-attended rallies in Kondele and Kisumu Bus Park.
He also inspected the ongoing Kanyakwar Affordable Housing Project. During the Friday visit, the President pushed his development agenda, signaling renewed engagement with the region long considered an ODM stronghold under opposition leader late Raila Odinga.
His return visit on Monday will be for the rollout of the Nyota Fund, a government initiative aimed at supporting small traders and youth enterprises.
Allies of the President, led by Interior PS Raymond Omolo, have been on the ground the past few days, putting final touches ahead of his expected visit, with a flurry of meetings and mobilisation activities reported across the region.
The team has been holding consultations with community groups, opinion leaders and grassroots networks to drum up support and ensure a smooth tour.
On Sunday, Omolo hosted representatives of the Bunge La Wananchi at his Kanyipir home ahead of the visit.
He posted after the meeting that it aimed to “hear community perspectives, strengthen collaboration and ensure that citizens' voices meaningfully inform socioeconomic priorities of the region”.
The PS was accompanied by Nyando MP Jared Okelo during the engagement.
The advance work is meant to guarantee a strong turnout and project unity around the President’s agenda as his team seeks to maximise political capital from the visit amid heightened political activity.
According to State House, the programme will benefit 5,901 youths, each receiving Sh25,000 in the first phase to start or expand their businesses.
Of this amount, Sh22,000 will be deposited directly into beneficiaries’ Pochi la Biashara mobile money accounts, while Sh3,000 will be saved under the Haba na Haba savings account.
The savings account is managed by the National Social Security Fund, promoting a savings culture among young business people.
In the second phase, beneficiaries will receive an additional Sh25,000, bringing the total start-up capital under the Nyota initiative to Sh50,000.
Officials said the programme aims to empower youth-led enterprises, boost local economies and create jobs across the three counties.
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