Raila’s Western Visit to Challenge Ruto
Today, scarcely two days after President William Ruto’s five-day visit, opposition leader Raila Odinga departs for Western.
Even though Mr. Odinga will be in the region to attend a few funerals, the visit has political overtones, as the opposition leader is anticipated to speak at stopover rallies that are viewed as a challenge to the President.
Today, Mr. Odinga is expected in the counties of Busia and Vihiga. Dr. Ruto has been on a charm offensive, launching development initiatives that Mr. Odinga’s forces have deemed to be “mere public relations stunts.”
Last week, he was in Kisii before landing in Western for a rigorous five-day visit that concluded with a Cabinet meeting in Kakamega and a consultative forum with local leaders and cane cultivators.
Before addressing the public, Azimio personnel will be in Western to offer condolences to the families of former Bunyala MP James Osogo and former Central Organisation of Trade Unions chairman Rajab Mwondi in Hamisi, Vihiga, according to ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya.
“We will be in Western with our party leader, Mr. Odinga, and cannot rule out speaking with our supporters there. Mr. Oparanya said, “We will address them at various stopovers.”
During his five-day tour, Dr. Ruto inaugurated development projects in Busia, Vihiga, Kakamega, and Bungoma counties, including the Milimani Estate affordable housing project in Lurambi, Kakamega, the Bungoma County Aggregation and Industrial Park, and a visit to the Nzoia Sugar Company.
In addition, he inaugurated the Emuhaya Sub-County Hospital in Vihiga, the Sh130 million Bukalama Fish Landing Site in Budalang’i, Busia, and the Sh100 million Male Surgical Ward at the Busia County Teaching and Referral Hospital, which was constructed by the Kenya Defense Forces.
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However, Azimio has dismissed the President’s tour as insignificant, alleging that no new projects were initiated. “The tour, despite being portrayed as a development effort, was a desperate attempt by UDA and its agents in Vihiga to revive their fortunes.
Godfrey Osotsi, a senator from Vihiga, said, “This is particularly pertinent given UDA’s inability to deliver on electoral promises, coupled with punitive taxation and a high cost of living causing discontent among residents and the broader Kenyan populace.”
He asserted that the proposed initiatives lacked credibility and deceived locals. In Vihiga, for example, a number of these initiatives had been inaugurated or initiated by Dr. Ruto during his tenure as Deputy President, while others were attributed to and had been inaugurated or initiated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mr. Osotsi added, “Additionally, a number of the listed projects were funded by Vihiga County rather than the national government, casting doubt on the overall development purpose and pointing more to political theater.”
Before Dr. Ruto’s visit, Azimio leaders challenged him to explain the position of the Mulembe Nation in his administration, following a pre-election pact with ANC and Ford-K to offer a 30 percent share of government to the region and to pave at least 1,000 kilometers of roads.
Raila’s Western Visit to Challenge Ruto