Ruto heads back to Nyanza as ’27 race shapes up

By Newsflash Writer

President William Ruto’s upcoming tour of Migori County is being interpreted as a tactical effort to broaden his political base, particularly as tensions grow within his traditional Mt Kenya support stronghold following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Political analysts suggest that if discontent persists in Mt Kenya, the President may increasingly rely on support from opposition-leaning regions such as Nyanza, historically aligned with Raila Odinga.

State House Secretary for Public Communication Munyori Buku confirmed the President’s visit, though he deferred questions regarding specific projects to area legislators. Uriri MP Mark Nyamita outlined key initiatives the President is set to unveil, including the Stella-Gogo-Sibuoche tarmac road, 200 units under the Affordable Housing Programme, and five Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets. Additional developments include the upgrade of Pinyowacho Level 4 Hospital, rural electrification drives, ongoing construction of the Migori Stadium, and an extension of the Lichota airstrip runway.

Packed itinerary

Ruto’s itinerary begins Sunday in Suna East with an interdenominational service at Kadika Primary School. He will then head to Suna West to open a new sub-county office and a Technical Training Institute. On the same day, he is expected to commission a housing project in Kehancha, Kuria East, before covering Rongo, Awendo, and Uriri constituencies on Monday.

MP Nyamita expressed optimism about the visit’s impact, noting, “We welcome the President wholeheartedly. This visit is crucial in unlocking vital economic opportunities for Migori. As local leaders, we are solidly behind his leadership and future plans.”

The tour comes against a backdrop of uncertainty surrounding Raila Odinga’s stance toward the Kenya Kwanza administration. Despite some of his close allies holding high-level government roles, Odinga recently insisted that ODM remains in opposition, sending mixed signals to his political base.

As the race toward the 2027 elections intensifies, President Ruto’s continued outreach to Nyanza appears to be a calculated bid to shore up alternative support bases and build a broader national coalition in response to the evolving political landscape.