Big day as Raila, Uhuru, South African VP fly to Nyanza amid high expectations

President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga will fly to Kisumu today for a two-day visit. The President's tour of the lake town comes nine months after his 'handshake' with Mr Raila.

Raila will host Uhuru who is expected to commission projects, including launching the Universal Health Care (UHC) pilot programme and flagging a road interchange project in Ahero.

According to the Opposition leader, South Africa's Deputy President David Mabuza will join them during the trip.

Speaking on a vernacular radio station on Tuesday night, Raila said Mr Mabuza will fly directly from Johannesburg to the Kisumu International Airport today to join him and Uhuru.

Raila explained that when Mabuza heard that both leaders would visit Kisumu together, he called and said he would be happy to join them in a show of solidarity towards their newfound-unity.

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The former opposition leader who was recently appointed by the African Union (AU) as its High Representative for Infrastructure Development, has appealed to his supporters to welcome the President.

"We are coming for the good of our people. I will be coming with many local and international guests. We will also visit Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira early next year," Raila said.

The opposition leader said that 'The Building Bridges Initiative' started by President Kenyatta and himself as part of the handshake, was doing a good job collecting views about a push for the review of the Constitution.

Giving a hint on Uhuru's programme today, Raila said that from Ahero, the President will drive to Kisumu, in a "meet the people" tour.

While on this tour, the President will also be received by a group of women leaders, and he will also open a Kenya National Housing Corporation (KNHC) project that involves the putting up of houses in Kisumu.

"The President will have a busy day. He will speak about the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway line to Kisumu and other important issues affecting the economy of Nyanza as a whole," Raila said.

Uhuru will also pay homage to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum Museum.

Local MPs are also eagerly awaiting the President's arrival, and have been mobilising their supporters to welcome the two leaders.

Yesterday, a heavy police presence in Bondo gave an indication of the looming visit.