Ruto’s Tour Of Luo Nyanza Demonstrated His Commitment To Walk The Talk
The Mt Kenya Times 
President William Ruto greeting the Kisumu County commisoner Josephine Ouko at the Kisumu Port
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- Mr President, this is an ODM stronghold. We however welcome you because you means well for our people.
- As our father of Nation, you have been telling us that the campaigns and Elections are over. It is now time to work and you do not want any region to be left out on matters of development.
- Construction of piers in Homa Bay and Kendu Bay, 5,000 low-cost housing units, Homa Bay fish market and elevating the town to municipality topped the list of projects he commissioned.
- The head of state also announced that his administration will complete the stalled road projects commissioned by his Predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.
- On job creation, he asked the youth and women to take up the employment opportunities in the housing projects. This includes tenders to supply construction materials.
A few days ago, President William Ruto made a three-day working visit to Luo-Nyanza, the home turf of his main competitor Raila Odinga.
In contrast to his first maiden tour when he was snubbed by the local leaders, this time they warmly welcomed and embraced him.
The notable figures were Governors Gladys Wanga, Achillo Ayacko, ODM chairman John Mbadi, MP Milie Odhiambo and Senator Kajwang.
To me, the change of heart did not come as a surprise. In the runup to this visit, Mr Odinga, their defacto leader, had softened his hardline stance.
Speaking in Mombasa, he told ODM delegates from Coast. When you see Azimio attending functions organized by the National Government, including the presidential ones, you should not interpret this to mean they were defying me.
I have allowed them to attend these forums but the engagements should be purely on development matters.
He added: The house of ODM/Azimio is united and intact. I’m fully in charge.
In Luo Nyanza, the unwritten rule is that you can only read a different script to that of Baba at your own peril.
Those who had tried before have a story to tell. They did not only lose their elective seats but become marked men and women.
Even the most learned ones would not be spared and they include the likes of Professor Anyang Nyongo, renowned lawyer James Orengo.
So, those who spoke during President Ruto’s visit were measured in words.
Mr President, this is an ODM stronghold. We however welcome you because you means well for our people.
As our father of Nation, you have been telling us that the campaigns and Elections are over. It is now time to work and you do not want any region to be left out on matters of development.
Your presence here is a clear demonstration of your commitment.
In his speeches, the President did not mince any word while unveiling the goodies worth Sh3.2bn.
Construction of piers in Homa Bay and Kendu Bay, 5,000 low-cost housing units, Homa Bay fish market and elevating the town to municipality topped the list of projects he commissioned.
The head of state also announced that his administration will complete the stalled road projects commissioned by his Predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.
On job creation, he asked the youth and women to take up the employment opportunities in the housing projects. This includes tenders to supply construction materials.
Listening to comments of the President and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, one thing was clear.
This visit was intended to lay a foundation that would lead to creating a strong bond of friendship with the voters in this region.
The President reminded them. During the August 2022 polls, you voted to en masse for ODM leader. You only gave me one percent.
This is unlike in other parts of the country where Raila got more votes.
In some of my strongholds, he got between 20 and 30 percent.
On a light note, he said. I reported you to God. I would not expect this to happen next time.
Here, the question comes. Is it possible for Ruto and Gachagua to wrestle this region from the grip of Raila?
As a political analyst, my take is. If Raila opts to run in 2027, chances are high he will be abandoned by his key allies. We have already seen this happening.
Capitalizing on this fallout and development projects they would have rolled out by then, this will help Ruto and Gachagua to endear themselves and hence they will get a huge chunk of votes from this region.
I have two reasons why Raila’s popularity was going down.
First, he had run for President five times and lost. This has made his diehards and supporters to lose hope and feel fatigued.
Secondly, it is about his advanced age and reports indicating he has been having health challenges.
We do appreciate the sacrifices that Baba (Raila) had made in the fight for second liberation, citing democracy, human right and social justice.
He has fought a good fight. When the history of the struggle is written, it will not complete without capturing his role.
These nice comments would be made by some of his hitherto diehard supporters.
They would however advise him. A time has come for you to hang the boot and take up the role of a kingmaker.
In this regard, he should groom and pass the baton of opposition to another leader.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is one of those who have been waiting in the wing.
He has threatened to quit Azimio and reach out and form a new alliance with the like-minds if Raila insists on running in 2027.
In August polls, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua was Raila’s running mate. We will wait to see how things will work out in Azimio.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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