Raila, Ruto to hold parallel functions in Kisii

By Kenan Miruka

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s visit to Kisii today coincides with Agriculture Minister William Ruto’s who is scheduled to hold a different function in the larger Kisii.

Raila leads ODM leaders to Bomachoge, for by-election campaigns for the party candidate Mr Simon Ogari.

However, 10km away in South Mugirango, Ruto will be the guest of honour at a fundraiser for Nduru Girls School at Nyamarambe.

Ruto, the Eldoret North MP, will be accompanied by several MPs, most from Rift Valley.

Political observes will be watching keenly to see if the two ODM kingpins will share a platform and address their supporters.

Since Raila and Ruto differed over the Mau Forest, they have not addressed joint political rallies.

ODM diary

According to the ODM diary, Raila’s trip was scheduled initially for Monday but last minutes changes placed the campaign for today.

Preparations for the two parallel functions were in top gear, ahead of the visits by the two leaders.

Yesterday, Ogari said the premier would land at Egetuki Shopping Centre and address a rally before heading for Ogembo town. The PM will address other rallies at Tendere, Kenyenya, Magenche, and Magena and conclude the campaigns at Magena market.

The party chairman Henry Kosgey and Secretary Anyang’ Nyongo will lead another team in the constituency on Monday. Ruto will lead campaign on Tuesday to root for the ODM candidate. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the PM was not invited to the fundraising but was likely to make a surprise stop over.

MPs from the Gusii region are expected to attend the Nyamarambe function. PNU ministers led by Ongeri and a group of MPs will address a public rally at Kenyenya Township to campaign for the party’s candidate Joel Onyancha.

Ongeri will later proceed to Nyamarambe in South Mugirango for the fundraising function where he will be the chief guest.

Narc-Kenya Chairperson Martha Karua will lead a team comprised of party Secretary-General Danson Mungatana and Asman Kamama to the constituency over the weekend to campaign for their candidate Omweno Ombasa.

Others expected to tour the constituency include Kaddu chairman Cyrus Jirongo and Kenda leader Kamlesh Pattni though the dates for their visit are yet to be confirmed.