Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has retreated to his Nyanza backyard to counter the gains made by President William Ruto in the region.
Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party announced a membership drive in Siaya which will be followed by grassroot elections.
ODM scheduled the event for Saturday, November 11, with an aim of retaining the party’s position in the region.
Further, the mass registration exercise and elections will be rolled out in other parts of the country.
This comes at a time when President William Ruto is making efforts to woo the Nyanza voters in readiness for the 2027 general election.
Since taking over, President Ruto has made several visits to Nyanza region to launch development projects and sway the region as well.
Between Friday, October 6 to Monday October 9 Ruto embarked on a four-day development tour of Luo Nyanza.
During visit, Ruto launched key infrastructure projects in Odinga’s home turf, marking the fourth time the president has visited since beating the Azimio at the ballot.
The President toured Kisumu, Migori, Siaya and Homabay counties, as he seeks to wrestle the region from Odinga’s grip.
Ruto Courts Raila followers
While in Siaya, Ruto dismissed claims of Kenya Kwanza government awarding development and positions based on shares.
In addition, the president said his government belongs to all the citizens of Kenya regardless of their political affiliations.
“Let nobody tell you that you are not in government, this government belongs to the people of Kenya. You pay taxes and you are also Kenyans, so this government is yours,” he said.
Furthermore, he promised that no region will be left behind in development because of its political alignment.
“It is primitive and backward for anybody to imagine that any region of Kenya cannot get development on account of how they voted.
That is neither right nor correct and I want to ensure the people of Kenya that we will move together,” said Ruto.
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Also, the president promised to visit the region in future to launch more development projects.
President Ruto asked Nyanza residents to support his presidency arguing that he made Odinga get the Prime Minister position in 2007.
Moreover, Ruto said they were both members of ODM adding that he contributed to Raila’s success that time.
President Ruto’s first visit of the Nyanza region as head of stated was on October 12 when he attended a prayer service at African Inland Church (AIC) in Homa Bay.
Ruto in the company of several leaders also met residents in a series of roadside rallies.
In January 2023, the president had a two-day tour of the Nyanza for the second time to launch development projects.
President Ruto also visited Nyanza in July when he attended a thanksgiving service for Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo at Oriwo Boys, Homabay County.
Also Read: Ruto Fulfills Many of His Promises After 14 Months in Office
UDA Registration
Led by Secretary General Cleophas Malala, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party aims at hitting 15 million registered members and the Nyanza region is a target.
Malala has strategically embarked on grassroots registrations to popularize the ruling party not only in Nyanza but across the country.
On October 25, Malala held a consultative meeting with Nyamira County UDA leaders regarding the party members recruitment exercise.
Further, UDA appointed former Migori Governor Okoth Obado as the UDA Luo Nyanza Manager (Kisumu, Migori, Siaya and Homabay Counties).
In his address, Obado pledged to work round the clock and in close collaboration with likeminded leaders from Nyanza region to ensure UDA’s membership index grows in the region.
According to reports by Malala, UDA mobilized more than 3000 members and registered 1000 new members from Homabay on October 29.
Among Raila’s strongholds that UDA party has visited in November include Homabay, Kisii and Nyamira.
In the Western region, UDA has recently conducted registration exercises in Kakamega, Bungoma and Vihiga Counties.
Nyanza Appointees
President Ruto has also dangled state appointments to make the region, where Odinga enjoys fanatical following feel part of government.
At the national table, the Luo Nyanza region is represented by ICT CS Eliud Owalo and Interior PS Raymond Omollo.
Also from the region is Education CS Ezekiel Machogu who comes from Kisii County.
Machogu contested for the gubernatorial seat on a UDA ticket in 2022 but lost to Simba Arati of ODM.
Besides, Ruto nominated former Kisii Governor James Ongwae and former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero for Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions.
Kidero who vied for Homabay gubernatorial seat was shortlisted under the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry
Additionally, Ruto appointed Prof. Collins Odote Oloo as the Chairperson of the Council of Legal Education for a period of three years.
Former Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch was appointed as the Chairperson of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Several former political heavyweights from Nyanza who were rejected by the electorate also found a soft landing in Ruto’s camp.
