By Peter Atsiaya and Mangoa Mosota

President Kibaki concluded his three-day tour of Nyanza Province with a promise to return.

"The tour was wonderful and I will come back soon," the President told a congregation at Kisumu Pentecostal Church, on Sunday.

He described the tour, at the invite of his host Prime Minister Raila Odinga, as "successful and wonderful".

This was the first time Kibaki was touring the region since his controversial re-election in 2007, and was widely seen as meant to heal the rift between him and the ODM stronghold.

Kibaki presided over a harvest festival organised by the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK), Kisumu branch.

He termed the rain during his last rally at Ambira High School in Ugenya constituency on Saturday evening "a blessing".

"My last rally in Ugenya was rained off (sic). I take this as a blessing, since residents have been yearning for it all this season," he said amid cheers.

During the tour, Kibaki launched several projects that are completed or under construction, underlining his Government commitment to regional development.

He commissioned the Sh19 billion Sondu-Miriu Hydro Power plant in Nyakach District on Friday, and tarmacking of the Kendu Bay-Homa Bay and Homa Bay-Mbita roads, which will cost Sh6.8 billion.

On Saturday, he attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sh2.9 billion expansion of Kisumu Airport. On Sunday, Kibaki challenged locals to take farming seriously, adding Kisumu could become the centre of the East African Community.

He said currently the region lacks commodities for export. "Do not just sit back, you can engage in subsistence farming and think of doing business with the rest the world," he said.

The President said agricultural production would open Kisumu to the rest of the world.

"I challenge you to produce commodities that will be supplied to the world. Diversify your farming," he said.

Raila said it was wrong for the country to continue facing food shortage, yet there were many water resources. "Egyptians use water from the Nile River, whose source is Lake Victoria, to produce sufficient food and surplus for export," he said.

He advised residents to adopt irrigation instead of relying on rainfall, which is sometimes unpredictable.

Ten million Kenyans are facing starvation and require urgent food relief. Last week, the PM said the Government has a Sh2 billion irrigation plan for about 40,000 hectares.

Kibaki left Kisumu aboard Airforce 1 chopper at exactly 1.45pm.

Earlier, the President turned down a request from local ASK officials to officially open the Kisumu Show, which starts on Wednesday.

"I would wish to come and open the show, but I will not be available. But the function will be taken care of," said Kibaki.

Raila thanked the residents for a rousing welcome to Kibaki.

"I want to thank my people for the warm welcome you gave to Kibaki and the rest of my visitors. I requested you to receive the President well and I am happy you did so," he said.

Raila said the country could only develop if peace prevails. "We want to move Kenya from a struggling economy to a middle level economy by 2030," he said.

The President appeared relaxed and in a good mood as he cracked jokes with the faithful who had jammed the church.

Cabinet Ministers James Orengo, Dalmas Otieno, Mohammed Kuti, Anyang’ Nyong’o, Fred Gumo, Samuel Poghisio and Beth Mugo accompanied the President.

Assistant Ministers Ayiecho Olweny and Orwa Ojode were also present at the church service, attended by 20 local MPs.

Cabinet ministers and MPs accompanying the two principals welcomed their renewed unity.

Mr Orengo said the new tie between Kibaki and Raila was a move in the right direction and would help change the country socially and economically.

Speaking at Ambira on Saturday, Orengo told Kibaki and Raila not to allow their henchmen to break the new tie for selfish gains.