PS Omollo: The growing power of Ruto's man in Nyanza region

The leadership and political star of Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo continues to rise as more leaders strategise to lead Nyanza’s political succession debate.

His allies believe he is one of the key leaders who holds the future of the region’s political leadership.

With a scramble to succeed the region’s political supremo and ODM leader Raila Odinga gaining momentum, the succession debate has fired up a clique of young leaders keen to drive Nyanza forward.

And while some have approached the scramble with an all-out political onslaught, the soft-spoken Interior PS is a man with a different tact.

 He is one of the top allies of President William Ruto in the region.

According to political analyst Joshua Nyamori, Omollo has brought a new style of leadership that is appealing to all clusters of people.

“He brings a completely new character of leadership. In my view, apart from being young, he brings integrity and confidence,” said Nyamori.

His position on the national stage and his activities to market the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) development agenda in the region appear to be shaping his political credentials. The tactical civil servant is experiencing winds of change.

In the last few months, his political star in Nyanza has been rising as groups of allies encircle him and praise his leadership.

He has also been on an overdrive to market President Ruto’s bottom-up economic model in Nyanza.

Dr Omollo has been meeting several groups in the region. Leaders believe Dr Omollo is among the clique of young leaders President William Ruto is grooming to usher in a new generation of politicians.

In Nyanza, the PS is working alongside ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo to groom more young leaders and women from the region. His initiatives have earned him praise from leaders - both in UDA and ODM.

And if all goes according to plan, the man trusted with one of the country’s most powerful dockets could be the next big thing in the country’s leadership pond.

His colleagues in government and a host of Nyanza leaders believe Omollo has the credentials to become an influential leader in Nyanza.

However, it remains to be seen if he will outmuscle other politicians for space to fill the shoes of Mr Odinga if he retires from politics. 

According to some of his allies, Omollo’s growing influence in the region has been aided by his powerful position in government.

His peers also claim he is a force to reckon with. According to Energy PS Alex Wachira, Omollo has the potential to lead Nyanza and is among the young leaders who could take over the country’s leadership.

He urged the Nyanza region to consider Omollo and back him in future. “Nyanza should protect Omollo and look at him well. The future looks green with him,” said Wachira.

His comments were echoed by PS for Blue Economy Betty Njagi, who described him as a fine gentleman, who can transform Nyanza.

Julius Bitok, his colleague in charge of Immigration, also claimed that Omollo has the potential to become a kingpin owing to his development record and ability to craft ideas that can transform the region.

“PS Omollo is very smart. We have looked at him, and we are sure he is capable of becoming a kingpin in Nyanza,” said Bitok.

The leaders were speaking during a fundraiser in Mfangano Island, where they rallied the region to support the government.

During the event, leaders drawn from different folds threw their weight behind PS Omollo. On the national front, government operatives believe he has restored order in the Ministry of Interior. Former Raila aide Silas Jakakimba said that the future belongs to the young people.