Nyanza leaders ready to host President Uhuru

Leaders in Nyanza region have welcomed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to the region tomorrow. They spoke hours after State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu confirmed that the President would be commissioning the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) West Kenya Union Conference headquarters in Kisumu on the day that he arrives.

Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma said he was among those expected to accompany the President.

“I am aware that the President will be here and I have been invited to accompany him for the church function. He is welcome,” Ranguma said.

The Head of State made similar visits to the city last year, and presided over the closing ceremony of the Kenya Schools and Colleges Music Festival at State House, Kisumu in April.

In June, at Uzima University College, he presided over the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Archdiocese of Kisumu.

The President’s to visits to the region have sometimes been met with suspicion from local leaders who have said they were designed to further Jubilee’s agenda. Similar suspicions have surrounded Deputy President William Ruto’s visit to Kisumu, especially when they involve raising funds for churches.

Last year, Ruto presided over a fundraiser for the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) in Siaya County, and contributed Sh500,000 at Tom Mboya Secondary School in Awendo in a ceremony presided over by Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero. The President contributed Sh2 million during this fundraiser.

The same year, Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno was the chief guest for a fundraising in aid of Kamagambo Adventist Church, Ranen that raised Sh6.4m, including Sh1m each from the President and his deputy.

Kidero’s association with the President have sometimes put him on the defensive and during fundraiser at Sori, Migori County he dismissed claims that he was using such events to overshadow CORD leader Raila Odinga, the region’s undisputed political kingpin.

“I want our people to understand that I am not doing this to compete with CORD leader Raila Odinga. He is the leader of the Luo, something I have accepted, while I am the governor of Nairobi — somewhere below his rank. We must raise funds to build schools and take our children to school,” Kidero said.

Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor is among some of the leaders who have asked local leaders to work with the President, sentiments that have been shared by Nyando MP Fred Outa and Kisumu Central legislator Ken Obura,

“We welcome you to Kisumu anytime. Much as we differ politically, we need to work together in matters of development,” Obura said.

 

But Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga called for more development initiatives from the government.

“The President should instead give counties more money to engage in projects that can change the lives of Kenyans other than attend church fundraisers,” Rasanga said.

Sources have indicated that Kenyatta could stay at State House, Kisumu for up to four days.