The abrupt cancellation of President William Ruto’s planned four-day tour of the Gusii region has raised questions about internal divisions among broad-based government leaders, threatening to complicate his political fortunes in the region ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sources indicate that the tour was called off amid fierce supremacy battles among local leaders and mounting concerns over unfulfilled promises made during the President’s previous visit.
The President’s lieutenants in Gusii have been embroiled in power struggles, with rival political camps jostling to demonstrate their influence and proximity to the Head of State.
North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Chairman of the Gusii Members of Parliament Caucus, Joash Nyamoko, said the postponement had been requested because several key projects remained incomplete.
“We all met in Nairobi, all MPs supporting the government. The President was to arrive in Gusii last Friday (October 23, 2026) and stay through Monday (October 26). But we pleaded with him to give us more time due to pending programmes, so we can put our house in order,” Mr Nyamoko said during a public participation forum on the Standard Gauge Railway in North Mugirango.
However, even before the postponement was announced, the President’s handlers were reportedly divided over the tour’s agenda amid concerns that several flagship projects remained incomplete or had yet to take off.
Among them is the much-publicised Suneka Airstrip, where construction is yet to begin. Locals claim contractors abandoned the site shortly after the President’s last visit in April 2026.
The President’s allies had already begun holding strategy meetings ahead of the planned tour, with the region appearing to warm up to Jubilee presidential candidate Dr Fred Matiang’i, who hails from the area.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Kisii Governor Simba Arati also led a preparatory meeting in Nairobi last Tuesday.
“This afternoon, I attended a meeting of leaders from the Gusii region at Serena Hotel in Nairobi. The meeting was convened to discuss government development initiatives and identify priorities ahead of the presidential tour,” Mr Ogamba said.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief of Staff Josphat Nanok, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi, Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri, and MPs Joash Nyamoko (North Mugirango), Alfa Miruka (Bomachoge Chache), Steve Mogaka (West Mugirango), Zaheer Jhanda (Nyaribari Chache), Daniel Manduku (Nyaribari Masaba), Charles Onchoke (Bonchari), Jerusha Momanyi (Nyamira Woman Rep), Dorice Aburi (Kisii Woman Rep) and Irene Nyakerario (nominated).
Kisii Governor and ODM Deputy party leader Simba Arati speaks during President William Ruto’s visit to Nyamasaria, where residents gathered to hear about Government development projects on September 14, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“This weekend, the President will be around for four days. I will see him go to Nyamira and then come to Kisii,” he said.
Ms Momanyi said the meeting provided an opportunity to assess progress and align development priorities.
“We remain committed to working together to advance development and deliver results for the people of Nyamira and the wider Gusii region,” she said.
Ms Okenyuri said the discussions also focused on consolidating key priorities, particularly infrastructure.
“We underscored the need to prioritise critical infrastructure and road networks, which remain central to improving livelihoods,” she said.
The cancellation comes at a politically sensitive moment for the President’s allies in Gusii, where stalled projects and unmet expectations risk undermining the government’s development pitch.
Should the tour be rescheduled, Dr Ruto is likely to face questions over projects that have yet to materialise, including the Suneka Airstrip and Suneka Market, where he had pledged millions of shillings in investment.
