President William Ruto on Sunday
began a four-day tour of Nyanza with a packed development itinerary, seeking to
consolidate his foothold ahead of the 2027 election.
Ruto will spend the better part of this week touring Kisumu, Siaya,
Migori and Homa Bay counties, where he is expected to launch, commission and
inspect a string of roads, water, security, health, education, energy and
housing projects.
The tour comes as the President steps up his charm offensive in Nyanza, where his administration has sought to inherit the support of former opposition chief Raila Odinga and his ODM party.
Ruto started the tour with a church service in Kisumu before holding a leaders’ meeting expected to attract about 10,000 people.
The head of state’s development pitch will take centre stage when he tours various parts of Kisumu county.
On Monday, he will commission the Airport Control Tower and the subcounty
police headquarters in Kisumu West constituency
before inspecting the Mamboleo-Miwani-Chemelil-Muhoroni-Kipsitet road in
Muhoroni.
Ruto will also commission the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation project in Kisumu Central before inspecting the Rabuor-Chiga road in Nyando constituency.
On Tuesday, the President moves to Siaya county, another political stronghold of the opposition, where he will inspect the Dhogoye Bridge in Bondo constituency and the Sihayi-Bar Ober-Sega road in Ugenya.
He will then visit Siaya hospital, the stadium and housing projects in Alego Usonga, as well as inspect the Kodiaga-Rabango-Usenge road.
The itinerary will also take him to Rarieda constituency for the inspection of the Kalandini-Ka Elija road and the Asembo-West Uyoma water project.
The President will on Wednesday shift his focus to Migori, inspecting the Stella-Sibuoche-Gogo road in Uriri, the Kanyawanga-Kwoyo-Madiaba road in Awendo and the Masaba sub-station in Kuria West.
He will wind up his Migori engagements with an inspection of the Posta-Nyirongi road in Suna East.
On Thursday, Ruto will tour Homa Bay, where he will inspect the Misambi market in Kabondo-Kasipul and the Kendu ESP market in Karachuonyo.
He will also inspect the Sindo Kenya Medical Training College and town roads in Suba South before concluding the
tour with an inspection of the Junction Kodoyo-Pier road in Homa Bay Town.
Beyond the development launches and inspections, the tour is expected to address residents in designated places to explain his transformation agenda and why he needs a second term.
Speaking during a service at Voice of Salavation and Healing Church, Ruto defended his administration’s record, saying it has made progress in delivering on its election promises in the economy, agriculture, healthcare, education and employment.
He said his administration had stabilised the economy, lowered interest rates and inflation, and doubled the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
“We had an economy that burdened by huge debt, inflation was high, our foreign exchange reserve was low but today I can confidently say our economy is stable. Today the economy of Kenya is the sixth largest in Africa,” the President said.
He also pointed to agriculture, saying reforms in the sector had improved earnings for farmers.
On healthcare, the President cited the replacement of the National Health Insurance Fund with the Social Health Authority, saying the new system had addressed delays that previously left patients waiting for months to access medical services.
Nyanza has emerged as Ruto’s focus, with the President increasingly making inroads into the region following his broad-based government arrangement with sections of the former opposition camp.
Speaking during the function, Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko dismissed Linda Mwananchi leaders from the area saying the region will not leave the broad-based arrangement.
“We will not follow anyone in the name of Linda Mwananchi, we will seek God to steer us in this government,” Ochilo said.
Homa Bay Governor and ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga said the region’s resolve to back Ruto’s administration is informed by the various developments being felt in the area.
“When Raila made a decision alongside President to bring us to the broad-based government, it was for the benefit of our people and for this reason you will finish this game (reelection) early in the morning,” Wanga said.
Host Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o
told the region to remain in the broad-based government in honour of Raila.
“When Raila left this earth, he told the President of this country to look after his flock,”Nyong’o said.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The President is expected to use the projects to reinforce his message that his administration is delivering development beyond traditional political alliances, as he seeks to turn Nyanza from an opposition fortress into a competitive political frontier ahead of 2027.
