Deputy President William Ruto joined Opposition leader Raila Odinga in Kisumu ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to the region. Pictures shared on Mr Odinga’s twitter account showed the former Prime Minister welcoming the DP who was accompanied by Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa.
![Image result for DP Ruto Joins Raila in Kisumu [PHOTOS]](https://images.hivisasa.com/420/ChhpZaPceu_20180308_070919.png)
“Sharing light moments with Deputy President @WilliamsRuto as we await the arrival of President @UKenyatta at Kisumu International Airport,” Raila stated in the caption over the photos. The long-awaited tour of Kisumu and Siaya counties could provide the purpose to revive talks around the country to restore good relations.
Raila stated that the tour to the once-restive region signalled a move from the post-election chaos that rocked this part of the country last year.
President Kenyatta is expected to launch the pilot phase of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme in Kisumu County. He will be returning to Kisumu after more than a year after his last visit in July 2017 when he launched the construction of a keg beer plant and an oil jetty.
#UhuruRaoInKisumu Rt Hon @RailaOdinga welcoming the DP William Ruto at Kisumu International Airport a head of President @UKenyatta visit pic.twitter.com/OUvDeM7XMN
— Adede Adede ™ (@adedeadedeh) December 13, 2018
Awards
The President and Mr Odinga will be awarded honorary doctoral degrees at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology for their contribution to the peace initiatives in the country following their March 9 deal. Odinga said his Kisumu tour with the Head of State will bring together leaders from diverse communities and mark the beginning of their nationwide reconciliation tours. e urged locals to welcome the guests, saying the meeting will be similar to the 1961 convention in Kisumu that brought together various heads of State and leaders from East and Central Africa.