Nyanza leaders have always had strong belief in Raila Odinga. “Baba” as famously known has been responsible for calling shots in the region. His voice is close to the magnificent voice. He is an idol not of many a young but of the whole region,”what Baba says we will follow!”
This is why Ruto is still unwelcome in the region.
The politicians led by ODM chairman John Mbadi and his Suna East counterpart Junet Mohamed said Ruto was exploiting the tranquility created by the handshake pact to further his political agenda — a run for State House in 2022.
But with peace prevailing, the DP is making his debut tour of Migori and Homa Bay counties to launch projects and market his candidacy.The MPs urged the DP to stop subjecting the country to a perpetual campaign mode through his ‘tangatanga’ tours couched as visits to promote the Big Four. President Uhuru Kenyatta has repeatedly called for an end to politicking and a focus on development.
The handshake between Raila and Uhuru was meant to quell tension after the divisive general election. Those exploiting this calm to push their agenda are against the direction of peace,” Mbadi warned.
The MP said some of the projects Ruto will be launching today, were commissioned by President Mwai Kibaki’s Grand Coalition government.
The Kanyadhiang ring road and Kehancha-Muhuru road were started by the coalition between Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, he said.
Junet, a close Raila ally and strategist, said ODM leaders in the county have not been invited on the tour that he said was all about 2022.
The March 9 unity handshake has brought about stability essential for Ruto’s tour of Nyanza.
Ordinarily, Ruto — Raila’s nemesis — would not set foot there because of bitter rivalry extending to Raila’s supporters.
On Friday, Ruto held a symbolic meeting with Raila at the DP’s official Karen residence, apparently to send signals of unity to supporters.
The meeting, which was attended by President Kenyatta, was billed as a lunchtime catch-up but analysts called it a calculated move to cement the Raila-Uhuru handshake with Ruto.
The optics of the landmark luncheon — the first by the trio since Raila was named AU High Representative for Infrastructure in Africa — would also project camaraderie and presumably tone down antagonism.
A tenacious and strategic politician, Ruto is keen to leverage the handshake deal to penetrate Raila’s Nyanza bedrock. Ruto and Raila have often been bitterly at odds since Ruto’s his dramatic exit from ODM in 2011.
Today, the DP will hosted by Migori governor Okoth Obado — one of Raila’s fiercest critics — in his Nyanza foray.
In Migori, Ruto will commission the Kehancha-Muhuru road that had stalled from Masara to Muhuru Bay and street lighting at the Masara Trading Centre. He will launch Last Mile Connectivity at Muhuru market.
In Homa Bay, the Deputy President will commission the 45km Kanyadhiang-Kadel ring road and electricity connectivity. The DP will be accompanied by Ketraco chairman and former Karachuonyo MP James Rege.
Ruto will hold a major fundraiser in Homa Bay town, in an attempt to woo South Nyanza region only a week after Baringo senator Gideon Moi visited the area and held harambees.
DO YOU THINK RUTO WILL MANAGE TO CONVINCE NYANZA PEOPLE WITHOUT RAILA’S SUPPORT?