President William Ruto commenced his four-day tour of the Nyanza region with an assurance to residents that he will not abandon the section of Kenya, which has for years been largely an opposition stronghold.
As he urged the region to work with him, President Ruto equally received assurance from area leaders who vowed to cooperate with him in a coalition arrangement that will ensure they enjoy the fruits of development while in government.
He stated that he had an agreement with the late Raila Odinga to unite Kenyans and develop every part of the country.
“Even in the absence of Baba, we have Dr Oburu Oginga, who we will walk with to ensure that Nyanza is not marginalised or left behind when it comes to development. We are beginning to shame our competitors by showing the development that is happening in every part of Kenya. We want to make sure there is equality in matters of development across the country,” said President Ruto.
Speaking in Kisumu during the launch of the extension of the Narok–Kisumu–Malaba SGR project, he warned his competitors against dividing Kenyans along tribal lines under his watch.
President William Ruto delivers his speech during the launch of the Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway at Kibos in Kisumu County on March 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
He dismissed critics who claim that the projects are meant to benefit individuals, saying what he has done is plan better and find ways of financing them.
The President rode on the ongoing youth initiative dubbed “Tuko Kadi”, which mobilises young people to vote, urging his competitors to prepare to table their track record for Kenyans to make informed decisions.
“I want to tell my competitors that the transformation of Kenya is underway on many fronts. Nataka kuwaambia tuko tayari na tuko kadi, kama hiyo ndio mnataka, tuko kadi na tayari hii masaa ikifika (I want to tell my competitors that we are ready, we have voter cards ready, and when the time comes we shall be ready),” said Dr Ruto.
Orange Democratic Movement party leader Dr Oburu Oginga confirmed that they will negotiate with Dr Ruto to ensure the region is in power in 2027.
“We are working together in a broad-based arrangement to bring the country together so that we can continue to develop. The people of this region want power and we must bring it to them,” said Dr Oginga.
ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga said they have given Dr Oginga the mandate to negotiate with President Ruto and ensure the Luo community acquires power in 2027. She warned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to keep off ODM affairs.
“Leave ODM alone and focus on your small party. We will plan a protest against people like him who harass our women,” said Ms Wanga.
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita said that during the meeting with leaders from Nyanza, the overriding message was that the region should focus on transforming communities.
“Ruto has so far demonstrated commitment to developing and transforming this region. We will support him in the next election. Our coalition is inevitable,” said Mr Nyamita.
A Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Interior said that never in the history of the Nyanza region has such development been witnessed as under President Ruto, hence he qualifies for another term.
“For the first time, we have found a leader who is keen on every Kenyan. And because of this and many other development projects you have implemented here, as people of Nyanza, we shall give you another opportunity to serve us for another five years,” said Dr Omollo.
Interior and National Administration PS Raymond Omollo during the launch of Kasagam Police Station in Kisumu on April 11, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
The tour, heavy with political messaging and drawing of battle lines, also saw criticism directed at President Ruto’s critics from the region, specifically Siaya Governor James Orengo, whom they accused of abandoning his constituency and attempting to lead the Luo community into the opposition.
Governor Orengo was portrayed by nearly all the leaders present as having chosen a different political path, one that is anti-development and focused on returning the Luo community to street protests.
The tone had been set the previous day at State Lodge Kisumu, where the President met leaders and professionals from Nyanza. All governors and nearly all other elected leaders from the region were present, except Governor Orengo.
Speaking in Yala, Gem constituency, Siaya County, after laying the foundation stone for the Yala Affordable Housing Project, leaders drew a line against the county boss, vowing to contest against him or sponsor a candidate to oust him in 2027.
“As ODM, we have agreed that we will not go back to the streets to protest. There is one person here in Siaya who is keen on taking us there; we won’t go,” said Mr Mohamed.
Cabinet Secretary for Energy Opiyo Wandayi thanked the President for filling the development gap left by the county government in Siaya.
“The county government of Siaya has collapsed; we will take the governor home. In 2027, we shall vote for you overwhelmingly,” said Mr Wandayi.
“We have been having a debate here in Siaya. Some want us to leave the government and join Gachagua; we won’t. We do not fear anybody. We are going to elect a new governor for Siaya because we have many capable leaders who can replace him. There is nothing he has done here,” said Mr Atandi.
Ugenya MP David Ochieng apologised to the President for the attacks he has received from the county boss, whom he claims receives development funding from Dr Ruto but criticises him publicly.
“We have a governor who only knows how to engage in politics and not development. Before going on with Linda Mwananchi, he should first protect the people of Siaya,” said Mr Ochieng.
Gem legislator Elisha Odhiambo and Uriri MP Mark Nyamita said the Siaya county boss appears to be out of touch with realities on the ground.
“We should not be comfortable with the status quo. Every leader must be accountable for the resources and responsibility they have. Orengo seems to be out of touch with the sentiments and expectations of the region for now,” said Mr Nyamita.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i also came under criticism, with leaders alleging that bodies were dumped in River Yala during his tenure.
“We are here in Yala and you know the person who used to dump people in the river. We will never be misled again by such people,” said Mr Mohamed.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah also criticised the church for allowing political attacks from the pulpit.
“I want to tell Bishop Maurice Muhatia of Kisumu Archdiocese that we as Christians were embarrassed by clergy presiding over insults in churches. The man I saw abusing the President in Githunguri was trading insults at the altar. Bishop Muhatia must ensure that sacred altars are not used to spread hate, tribalism and insults,” said Mr Ichung’wah.
Muslim leaders urge Ruto and the Opposition to tone down abusive rhetoric
Earlier, the President had launched the construction of the Narok–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway.
He later returned to Kisumu for the groundbreaking of the Asat Fish Landing Site in Seme Constituency and the Holo–Lela Road in Kisumu Town West Constituency.
