Ruto intensifies charm offensive in Kisii, Nyamira

President William Ruto with Gusii leaders at Nyamasege in Bomachoge Chache in Kisii County on August 25, 2023. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

President William Ruto has intensified his charm offensive to sway Gusii residents to back his administration and strengthen his grassroots support in the region.

This happens as the president and his allies seek to bank on a series of political turns that appear to embolden his forays in the region where ODM leader Raila Odinga enjoys a lot of support.

So dedicated is President Ruto in this quest that Friday, he made his third visit to the region in a month and barely five days after he toured Nyamira.

Armed with a bag of goodies for the region, all the visits entail the launch of projects, promises of new projects as well as a pitch for support for his administration.

Friday, Ruto pitched tent in Nyamira and Kisii to launch a number of projects and market the government’s plan for the region. 

The president is pursuing several projects he has promised the region and has tasked his foot soldiers to follow up on implementation. His UDA party is also on an overdrive as it enlists new members in an intense drive that kicked off in October last year.

He challenged other ODM leaders in the region to join him and asked Kisii Governor Simba Arati to support his administration.

“We will not leave Kisii behind. The plan we have for Kenya will not be complete without the completion of the plans we have for Kisii,” said Ruto.

Addressing residents at Nyansiongo, the president said his focus to transform the region is on course and vowed to ensure that all stalled projects are completed.

During the visit, the president launched several projects and claimed they will build seven new markets in Nyamira. He claimed the new markets will be built in Keroka, Ikonge, Nyamira town, and Kemera.

Ruto said that seven other modern markets will be built in Kisii County. According to Ruto, they will have storage facilities and equipment to support value addition.

Development

In his efforts to lure the region to back his administration, the president has embraced a multi-faceted approach which include development and a political front.

He has already persuaded several opposition leaders and former elected leaders from Raila’s party to join him. They include former Kisii Governor James Ongwae and former Woman Rep Janet Ongera.

Ongwae was among the leaders who welcomed him to the region.

While inspecting the Sh3.4 billion roads in Bomachoge Chache, Borabu, North Mugirango and West Mugirango, Ruto said he will work with all leaders irrespective of their party affiliations.

In Borabu, he opened the Nyansiongo market and declared the Government's commitment to addressing the problem of cattle rustling in the area. He moved to North Mugirango where he launched the rehabilitation of another road project.

He concluded his one-day tour at Sironga area in West Mugirango where he launched the construction of Nyamira County Aggregation and Industrial Park. In Borabu, he was hosted by ODM’s Patrick Osero while in West Mugirango he was a guest to Governor Amos Nyaribo (UPA) and area MP Steve Mogaka (UPA).

Earlier on, Kisii Governor Simba Arati said the president is a symbol of unity and peace. “We are supporting the government and we will continue to work as a team.”

Arati said he worked with the President in ODM and he wished that they work together for the sake of the country. “Let us work as a team and we will decide on other things going forward.”

Bomochage Borabu MP Obadiah Barongo (ODM) called on Ruto to consider him in his work schedule and project allocation. “I know we have had a number of projects in my constituency but I wish to be considered in other allocations.”

Ruto said he was willing to work with all Gusii leaders. He told Governor Arati to join him in government while assuring Barongo of his willingness to support him too.

“Arati, why can’t you come back and we work together. You never know what will happen in the future.”

However, ODM National Treasurer Timothy Bosire says what is bedevilling African leaders is lacking principle and vision.

“It is expensive to be principled; not everyone can afford it, especially so in this Country. It doesn’t matter your status in society or levels of your education. It is you, yourself and your family. Few are selfless and ready to fully sacrifice for man and society.”

Leaders who spoke during the trip called on the president to reject any proposals to share the Government with the opposition.

National Assembly Majority Leader Sylvanous Osoro, Bomachoge Chache’s Alfa Miruka and Nyaribari Chache’s Zaheer Jhanda said the opposition should wait for their turn to govern the country.

“Going for the handshake will be the least we will expect from the bi-partisan talks. I am ready to tell my colleagues from Kisii that we support the Government,” said Osoro.