Nyanza opens up to Ruto, awaits for project windfall

President William Ruto launches the Kegonga cluster water project at Kegonga, Kuria East Sub-County, Migori County during his day one visit to Nyanza region. [Anne Atieno, Standard] President William Ruto received a warm welcome yesterday in Migori and Kisumu, strongholds of Opposition leader Raila Odinga, as he began a four-day tour of the region. Ruto's visit sparked speculation about potential future support from the region or even a political alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election. The President suggested he might return to explore these possibilities further. "There are things we will return to say but for now let us focus on development matters. I will come back to discuss more with you when the time is right," said Ruto. The president's visit came a day after he presented Raila as the country's candidate in the race for the African Union Commission chairmanship. It was also the first time he was visiting the region after rewarding Raila's allies with plum Cabinet slots in his government. As the rotor blades of his aircraft signalled the start of his visit in Migori, residents greeted the President with jubilation and leaders praised him warmly. As this was happening, a false report that the president's motorcade would pass through Kisumu led some residents to wait along the central business district. However, Ruto is scheduled to visit Kisumu on Saturday. The president called on residents to support national unity and renewed his commitment to the region by promising to launch new projects there. "God did not make a mistake to make us live in one nation. We need to be united. That is why I have formed a broad-based government," said Ruto. He stated that as the country progresses, Migori and the entire Nyanza region must not be left behind. "We have to ensure that government services get to every village. We must move forward together." The president promised to revive the Last Mile Connectivity programme, saying that his administration would allocate Sh300 million for electricity connections in Kuria East. He said that his administration had allocated Sh1.6 billion to connect 19,000 people in Migori to the grid. President Ruto, who was accompanied by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, spoke at Kegonga in Kuria East Sub-County, where he launched the Kegonga Cluster Water Project. He announced that Sh250 million will be allocated for the project's first phase and that the total investment over all phases will be Sh1 billion. "We had agreed on a water project and since a promise is a debt I am here to do what I said. I have come here to officially launch this water project because your MP Kitayama told me that there was no tap water here in Kuria East," he said. The president promised that every village would have access to tap water within a year. He also pledged Sh300 million to revive the Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme, which has been stalled for seven years. To expedite the process, he committed Sh68 million for compensation to enable full utilisation of the scheme's land. Currently, only 7,000 of the 19,000 acres are used for rice farming, and he promised to help farmers find markets for their rice. Additionally, the president encouraged all Kenyans to register for the new health program under Universal Health Coverage, ensuring that everyone, employed or not, can receive medical care. "We want a program that equalises all Kenyans," he said, adding that the government would cover the costs for those who cannot afford the health programme, while those who can would make gradual payments.The President was hosted by Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, Kuria East MP Maisori Kitayama, Nyatike MP Tom Odege and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed. Ruto is also expected to tour the Ngege-Mapera Road (Suna East) and Lower Kuja irrigation scheme in Nyatike Sub-County. The four leaders thanked the president for the initiatives he launched and said that the region is eager for more development. Mr Ayacko asked the president to support Raila in his journey to AUC even as he launched projects in Nyanza. "Support Raila to reach his destination and we will walk with you," he said. Junet praised Ruto for "visiting parts of Nyanza that no other president has reached since independence". "We had remained behind in terms of development until we started thinking that we are Ugandans. The president needs to come back again," he said. Kitayama thanked the president for easing his work by providing water for residents. He also requested a bridge be built between Kilgoris and Kuria East to help children get to school more easily. He added that the president needs to construct markets at Gekoharaka and Kegonga areas. The president was also accompanied by Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury CS John Mbadi, Interior PS Raymond Omollo, Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo and Kisii Governor Simba Arati, among other dignitaries. Leaders from Migori, Senator Eddy Oketch, Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed, MPs Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Walter Owino (Awendo), Peter Masara (Suna West), Mathias Robi (Kuria West) and Paul Abuor (Rongo) and MCAs, among others, also accompanied the president. In Suna East, the president promised to construct the Ngege-Mapera-Rabuor and Ngege-Osingo-Nyaduong roads, which he launched. He also pledged to continue the construction of the Masara-Sori road. "I hear the road to Muhuru Bay has become hard like that leading to heaven," Ruto said, even as he promised to set aside Sh150 million for the construction of a landing site in Muhuru Bay. Meanwhile, residents and leaders in Homa Bay expressed optimism that the president's visit would be a success as they made final touches to his visit. Governor Gladys Wanga said they would welcome Ruto as members of the ODM party. Wanga, who was accompanied by Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara and her Kasipul counterpart Ong'ondo Were, said Ruto's visit was aimed at spearheading development in the county. "We are going to discuss the blue economy in Homa Bay and how to end harassment of fishermen in Lake Victoria," Wanga said. Additional reporting by James Omoro

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