Migori Senator Eddy Gicheru Oketch has declared support for President William Ruto’s reelection bid, arguing that the Head of State is pursuing equitable development across the country rather than advancing the interests of one community.
Oketch said those portraying Ruto as a leader serving only the Kalenjin community were mistaken, insisting that his development agenda was aimed at addressing historical regional inequalities.
Speaking at Chepkorio Trading Centre in Elgeyo-Marakwet County during Ruto’s North Rift tour, the senator accused previous administrations of favouring certain regions in the allocation of road projects while leaving other areas behind.
“For those who think President William Ruto is solely a leader of the Kalenjin, they are mistaken. He is a Kenyan who has decided to equalise the country,” Oketch said.
He claimed that some regions had benefited disproportionately from road construction over the past decade through the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), while other communities had missed out on similar investments.
“Some tribalists made sure that certain regions were favoured with thousands of kilometres of roads through the Road Maintenance Levy Fund, while other communities missed out,” he said.
The senator argued that Ruto’s efforts to spread development more evenly across the country had attracted opposition from leaders who, he claimed, were uncomfortable with the changing distribution of public resources.
“Now that the President is striving to equalise Kenya and bring equal development to communities that did not have it previously, they are now opposed to it,” Oketch said.
He maintained that residents of Nyanza had resolved to support the President for two terms, framing the backing as an effort to promote fairness in the distribution of national resources.
“We as the people of Nyanza have decided to fully support President Ruto for his two terms so that we can make this country equal and fair for everyone,” he said.
Oketch also cited a visit to Marsabit alongside the President, saying the experience reinforced his argument that national identity should take precedence over ethnic affiliations.
“I went with the President to Marsabit and asked the people there what tribe they were, and they told me they are Kenyans,” he said.
The senator reiterated his commitment to supporting Ruto for two terms, saying the country needed leaders who prioritised equitable development over ethnic considerations.
