How General Ogolla's departure hampers Ruto bid to win over hearts in lake region

President William Ruto and the late Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla at State House in April 2023. [PSCU]

President William Ruto is facing a herculean task to infiltrate ODM leader Raila Odinga's backyard and entrench his influence in a stubborn political base that has been a fruitless hunting ground for past presidents.

Although the president has made significant strides through his soft handshake with Raila and relentless inroads by his troops through the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, his incursions have suffered a blow following the demise of Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla.