President William Ruto on Monday used his second day of Migori tour to rally opposition leader Raila Odinga’s supporters to back his 2027 re-election bid.
The ongoing three-day tour of the region adds to a series of political trips the President has made in Mr Odinga’s bastion in the last couple of months, which are seen as an attempt to endear himself to the vote basket by riding on his new-found truce with the veteran politician.
Dr Ruto doled out multiple development projects as he sought the backing of the region that voted against him in the 2022 election, in which he beat Mr Odinga narrowly.
The Head of State told locals that his administration is undertaking several projects in the county, including supporting sugarcane farmers, construction of markets and creation of jobs for youths.
Migori has predominantly supported ODM leader Raila Odinga with most politicians in the county including Governor Ochilo Ayacko and Senator Eddie Oketch being members of the opposition party. UDA only got support from Kuria region
Dr Ruto, whose UDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mr Odinga’s ODM in March said the country should not be engaged in politics at the moment and called on leaders to focus their energy on serving the people.
President William Ruto lays a foundation stone for the construction of Suna West Technical and Vocational College in Migori County on May 4, 2025.
Photo credit: PCS
He said the country will have a season when politicians will engage in campaigns before voters get an opportunity to elect the person of their choice.
"Let us remain focused because what is important now is to look at how the country can have enough food and our children go to school," the President said.
This even as he accused his opponents of engaging in tribal politics which he said has previously been exploited to divide the country.
"Unity is strength so let us unite to take the country forward. Those who insist that I must go (from Ruto must go call) should first of all tell Kenyans what they have planned to improve the country. Mere speaking does not help us," he said.
The Head of State promised to continue working for the people by implementing projects, including his pet projects of affordable housing, markets and the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The president asked residents of Rongo, Awendo, Uriri and Nyatike constituencies to support his development projects.
He said election of leaders should be based on what they have done for the people including initiation of construction projects, creation of jobs and bringing different groups together.
"Those who will not be lucky will go home and engage in other activities. It is voters who will decide who their MCA, MP, governor, Senator and President is and they should only consider people who work for them," Dr Ruto said.
During his speeches, he maintained that tribal and divisive politics have no space in the country. He explained that it is the reason he decided to work with Mr Odinga.
According to President Ruto, Migori has historically been left behind on developments with limited resources allocation. He however promised that this will change and he has elaborate plans for this.
"We had a problem with loan repayment a while back. We have however overcome this and 18 new roads will be conducted in this county," the president said.
He said his government is focused on expanding agricultural production for food security and income through construction of markets with cold rooms for storage of fresh produce and economic support for farmers.
National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro accused the group that opposed the leadership of the President of diverting the attention of the country from what Kenya Kwanza is doing by always speaking ill about the head of state.
South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro.
Photo credit: File I Nation Media Group
"They hold meetings in the same region with the same people as they pass the same message. Their agenda is always one. It is President Ruto who has an agenda for 50 million Kenyans with them having one one, of speaking about the president," the South Mugirango MP said.
This is despite the ODM party which they used to contest and win elective seats, announcing that it will front a presidential candidate.
"Let us continue supporting him in whatever he does until the next election," he said.
In Rongo, he said the government has laid down mechanisms of reviving the sugar sector which he said has been infiltrated by cartels. The president said some of the rogue individuals have made it difficult for state owned sugar factories to produce sugar.
"Some are crushing sugarcane but workers are not paid. It forces the government to step in and help the factories," Dr Ruto said.
Part of the plans of saving the sugar sector, he said, is paying cane farmers on time after delivering cane to factories.
"Sugarcane farmers should be paid after every two weeks. Meanwhile, workers should be paid every month," Dr Ruto said.
The president said those who supply the crop to Sony Sugar will also start getting bonuses at the end of this year.
"We have also changed management of sugar factories for them to be run better," Dr Ruto said.
He also told youths that the government has created at least three pathways for creating employment.
It includes working at construction sites as artisans, traveling to foreign countries for empowerment of working online for different companies.
"Construction projects will create jobs for youths who are plumbers, electricians and masons. We are also putting up ICT labs called Jitume centres in every ward for online employment," Dr Ruto said.
He told residents of Rongo that Kenya has signed a bilateral labour agreement with 19 countries and Kenya is expected to export labour.
