Ruto’s Nyanza Visit Fails to Erode ODM Support-Raila allies says

Supporters of Opposition Leader Raila Odinga insist that President William Ruto has not made significant political inroads in the region as he concludes his four-day tour of Nyanza today, Monday, October 9, 2023.

During the tour, President Ruto has been accompanied by governors from the counties he visited, while ODM MPs boycotted the events.

The presence of governors from Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu, and Siaya counties is seen as a tactic to demonstrate to President Ruto that Mr. Raila still wields significant political influence in Nyanza.

Additionally, the presence of governors Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), James Orengo (Siaya), and Ochilo Ayacko (Migori) is perceived as an attempt to overshadow the rebellious MPs and other government-leaning leaders.

These rebel leaders had intended to use the tour to take credit for the development projects being launched, claiming that they were the ones who brought these projects to the residents.

In their speeches, the governors maintained that Nyanza has the right to development, regardless of their political stance in the 2022 general election. They emphasized that their collaboration with the central government is based on development, even though they are politically aligned with the opposition.

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Mr. Orengo criticized the rebel ODM leaders, stating that he welcomed the President to the county and participated in meetings with him solely for the sake of development.

“I fear nothing in politics; that’s why I speak the truth. I am here for development, and I ensure there is equal development in all areas,” Mr. Orengo said.

The governor insisted that he remains in ODM and has no intentions of going to the State House or joining the government to seek development projects that rightfully belong to all Kenyan citizens.

In Kisumu County, Prof Nyong’o accused some UDA leaders like Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who suggested that the President’s warm reception by locals signaled that their party had weakened ODM in Nyanza.

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“Let it be clear that Ruto was welcomed as a president and not as a UDA leader. Also, the Luo community has a tradition of welcoming guests. Kenyans support Raila Odinga as the liberator of the country, and Nyanza has not been left behind,” Prof Nyong’o stated.

Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr. Opiyo Wandayi, also stated on Sunday, October 8, 2023, that the President’s tour would not benefit him politically, asserting that Mr. Raila’s influence remained strong.

“Everyone is welcome in Nyanza, but as it stands, Odinga does not recognize Ruto’s presidency. Our leader will guide us,” Mr. Wandayi said.

“It is disheartening that the President was accompanied by leaders who have no political influence in Luo Nyanza. Those politicians are traitors, and they can continue insulting us, but they should forget about getting our people’s votes,” he added.

Nevertheless, rebel leaders celebrate the tour as a victory, claiming that it is their efforts that brought the development projects President Ruto is inaugurating.