Kisumu Port was a sea of colour on Sunday as hundreds of residents and political leaders gathered ahead of President William Ruto’s arrival for a major engagement with leaders and delegates from the Nyanza region.
The meeting is expected to bring together more than 10,000 leaders and delegates from across Nyanza
The venue buzzed with activity, with supporters dressed in a mix of yellow and orange outfits, while others donned ODM caps and the “Round Ni Mbili” movement caps as they waited for the President and other leaders to arrive.
Leaders and residents from Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori counties had converged at the ports, with entertainment keeping the crowd engaged as preparations for the President’s address continued.
Beyond the music and political colours, however, residents arrived with a long list of issues they want the President to address.
Completion of stalled and ongoing development projects, youth unemployment and insecurity are among the major concerns, while leaders are also keen to hear what political stake President Ruto is prepared to offer the Luo-Nyanza region in the next administration.
The President is expected to use the engagement to outline his administration’s development record in the region and highlight projects being implemented across the four counties.
President Ruto is currently attending a Sunday service at the Voice of Salvation and Healing Church in Kisumu before proceeding to the leaders’ engagement.
His four-day tour of Nyanza, running from Sunday to Thursday, will focus on the inspection, launch and commissioning of roads, markets, water projects, housing and other infrastructure.
On Monday, the President will remain in Kisumu, where he is expected to inspect the airport control tower in Kisumu West Constituency and commission the sub-county police headquarters.
He will also inspect road projects along the Mamboleo-Miwani-Chemelil-Muhoroni and Kipsitet routes.
The President is further expected to launch or commission the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project in Kisumu Central and inspect the Awasi-Katito road project in Nyando Constituency.
The tour will move to Siaya on Tuesday, where Mr Ruto is expected to inspect the Dhogoye Bridge in Bondo Constituency and the Sihayi-Bar Ober-Sega road in Ugenya.
He will also visit Siaya Hospital and the local stadium before inspecting the Kodiaga-Fabiano-Usenge road project in Alego Usonga.
Other projects lined up in Siaya include the Asambo-West Uyoma water project in Rarieda.
On Wednesday, the President will proceed to Migori county, where he is expected to inspect the Stella-Sibuoche-Gogo road project in Uriri and the Kanyawanga-Kecyo-Madiaba road in Awendo.
His programme will also include a tour of the Masaba sub-station in Kuria West and inspection of the Posta-Nyirongi road network in Suna East.
The final leg of the tour will take place in Homa Bay on Thursday.
Ruto is expected to inspect the Minambi Market in Kabondo-Kasipul and commission the Kendu Economic Stimulus Programme market in Karachuonyo.
He will also inspect the Sindo ESP market and town roads in Suba South, as well as the Junction Kodoyo-Pier road network in Homa Bay Town.
As the crowd at Kisumu Port waited for the President, the mood remained a mixture of celebration, political anticipation and expectation, with residents hoping the visit will translate into tangible action on the ground.
