Inside William Ruto's plan to inherit Raila's political base

Interior PS Raymond Omollo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency Eliud Owalo and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga during a meeting for assessing the state of Kendu Bay Pier in Homa Bay County. (FILE,Standard).

President William Ruto has stepped up his efforts to inherit the late Raila Odinga’s rich support base, shifting his political strategy towards visible project implementation as he seeks to woo the region into backing his administration.

The move reflects a calculated attempt to consolidate goodwill through development at a time of political uncertainty following Odinga’s death.

The push comes amid a scramble by key political actors to control a voting bloc whose future direction remains unclear, as leaders within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) differ sharply over their relationship with the Kenya Kwanza government.

Long-standing rivalries among ODM figures from the region have further fragmented the political landscape, creating openings for Ruto to advance his agenda.

Ruto is leaving little to chance as he seeks to capitalise on the support Raila had extended to him before his demise. His allies insist the strategy is bearing fruit, arguing that the region is increasingly receptive to his leadership and firmly backing his administration.

Over the past few weeks, the President’s foot soldiers, led by Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency Eliud Owalo and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, have gone into overdrive. The two have been inspecting the implementation of numerous projects scattered across the region, often criss-crossing counties to monitor progress.

At the same time, two Cabinet Secretaries from the region, Treasury’s John Mbadi and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, have been running parallel economic empowerment programmes aimed at entrenching Ruto’s grassroots support. So committed is the team to marketing Ruto’s development footprint that scarcely a weekend passes without either Mbadi or Wandayi pitching tent in the region. They routinely preside over empowerment forums, inspect ongoing works, or rally residents around government-backed initiatives.

According to Wandayi, the region stands a chance to prosper if it remains united, arguing that Ruto means well for the region. “There is nothing as important as unity. Raila always told us not to allow ourselves to be divided. Let us focus on our community and not personal interests as leaders,” he said.

Mbadi, meanwhile, pitched tent in Bondo this week to help raise funds for community groups. He has been vocal in praising Ruto’s interventions in the region, arguing that previous political handshakes failed to deliver meaningful dividends.

Alongside development, leaders are simultaneously driving a mass national identity card and voter registration drive to shore up numbers. In Kisumu, hundreds of youths applied for identity cards during an event spearheaded by PS Omollo at Kondele, a traditional political hotbed. Similar exercises have taken place in Nyakach as part of a broader strategy to boost voter numbers ahead of future elections.

Across the region, contractors are racing against time to complete projects worth billions of shillings. These include investments in housing, roads, the blue economy and flood mitigation in Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay and Siaya counties.

In Kisumu, the government has unveiled a modern eight-storey air traffic control tower at Kisumu International Airport, aimed at improving safety, enhancing passenger experience and positioning western Kenya as an emerging aviation hub. The facility is equipped with advanced navigation and surveillance systems, enabling the airport to handle more traffic and attract larger aircraftand eventually operate more direct regional flights.

“The new tower is part of the modernisation of this international airport. In addition to the tower, expansion of the runway is ongoing, and several other programs are underway to upgrade the airport,” Omollo said.

Within Kisumu city, the skyline is changing rapidly as the President’s affordable housing programme takes shape. The government is also seeking alternative funding for the stalled Sh20 billion Koru/Soin Dam, which Owalo said could be fast-tracked under the new National Infrastructure Fund. In health, Ruto’s elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to Level Six status has revitalised the facility. His administration is also constructing a Sh1 billion fisheries research centre at Kabonyo.

Water and sanitation projects have progressed, including the completion of the Sh673.9 million Kendu Bay Water Supply and Sanitation Project and the Sh1.3 billion Oyugis Water Supply scheme in Rachuonyo South and East.

Road infrastructure has also improved, with upgrades to the Rusinga Ring Road and Mfangano Ring Road, and ongoing works on the Mbita–Sindo–Kiabuya–Sori Road. In South Nyanza, rehabilitation of Kabunde airstrip, now 65 per cent complete, is expected to unlock regional connectivity.

“The delivery of projects across Nyanza is continuing with unwavering commitment, ensuring these major investments translate into real, measurable gains for residents,” said Owalo.

In Homa Bay, however, the government projects have turned into a political scramble for supremacy between Governor Gladys Wanga’s allies and supporters of PS Omollo.

While the governor’s administration is quick to take credit for the several multimillion projects being implemented in the area, critics claim they are hanging on the national government’s coat but have nothing to show for themselves.