Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio, recently hosted a two-day mega event to establish his territory. President William Ruto is working overtime to establish himself in the former premier’s Nyanza backyard and was scheduled to visit the area this Saturday.
The meeting between President Ruto and Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo was originally scheduled for July 8 but was postponed to July 15 due to other commitments.
On August 5, he will return for another meeting in Gem, Siaya County.
Dr. Omollo stated on Sunday that his ceremony “will take place on July 15.”
In an effort to lessen Mr. Odinga’s influence, the President has recruited important regional government figures to carry out his will. A number of development initiatives and fundraising events have been planned.
Dr. Omollo and ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo are the President’s men in charge of the assault.
Last Friday and Saturday, Mr. Odinga presided over the Piny Luo Extravaganza (Luo Nation Extravaganza), a ceremony in Homa Bay County that brought together members of the neighbourhood and issued a strong call for unity.
Several speakers at the event, including Luo Nyanza governors James Orengo (Siaya), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), and Ochillo Ayacko (Migori), called for unity and support for Mr. Odinga at a time when President Ruto is eager to win over his bastion.
However, despite the appeals for harmony, President Ruto’s allies have vowed to pressure the neighbourhood to cooperate with the government and have promised more benefits for the region.
According to Dr. Omollo, the government is committed to carrying out a number of development projects in the area. “We participated in a fundraising effort and a groundbreaking ceremony for a state-of-the-art computer lab at Mbita High School.
The drive raised Sh20 million for the proposed project, which was one of many other development projects planned for the area, according to Dr. Omollo at the event on Friday.
At the event, which was held concurrently with Mr. Odinga’s appearance at Homa Bay High School, Dr. Omollo was joined by ODM rebel MPs Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Felix Odiwuor (Lang’ata), and Prof. Tom Ojienda (Kisumu senator).
Mr Odhiambo said that the President is always welcome in the region.
“We have told our people that it’s time for development and that is why we are working with the government to ensure Nyanza’s economic revival,” Mr Odhiambo said.
In order to achieve meaningful development, the President, him, has expressed a willingness to collaborate with local authorities and residents.
This is the first time in Mr. Odinga’s political career that he has encountered open hostility from numerous leaders in his neighbourhood, including those who were elected on the ODM party ticket.
Other elected leaders who are openly supporting President Ruto’s administration are MPs Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Paul Abuor (Rongo), and David Ochieng’ (Ugenya).
In Nyanza, a few ex-ODM governors and members of parliament have also shifted their allegiance to President Ruto. They include former governors Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Okoth Obado (Migori), Evans Kidero (Nairobi), and former Siaya governorship aspirant Nicholas Gumbo. Former MPs include Fred Outa (Kisumu senator), Rose Nyamunga (Kisumu Woman representative), and former MPs Edick Anyanga (Nyatike) and Augustine Neto (Ndhiwa).
Others are former MPs Silvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul), Martin Ogindo (Rangwe), Ochieng Daima (Nyakach), Jared Opiyo (Awendo), and former chairman of the Lake Basin Development Authority Odoyo Owidi.
Mr Ogindo said the community has lagged behind in terms of development owing to opposition politics. “We are used to being in the opposition, a post that doesn’t exist in our Constitution, and it is high time we reconsider our stance on the government and start working closely with President Ruto,” he said.
The President’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has stepped up its membership recruitment drive, targeting at least 300,000 members in Nyanza.
UDA officials from the Luo Nyanza counties have been on an intensive member listing over the past two months, with UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala presiding over the opening of party offices. Dr Omollo and Mr Owalo have also been hosting various delegations in Nyanza to persuade locals to work with the government.
UDA Kisumu County chairman Clive Natome said: “We want Nyanza to be the support base of President Ruto by ensuring that we recruit as many members as possible ahead of the 2027 elections.”
In Homa Bay, UDA has conducted recruitment drives and opened branches in most of the eight sub-counties.
However, ODM Political Affairs director Opiyo Wandayi says the political rebellion in the former PM’s backyard will be crushed.
Mr Odinga’s lieutenants have vowed to continue their rallies across the region in a bid to overturn any gains made by President Ruto’s allies.
Mr Odinga last week suffered a setback after Kenya Kwanza senators outnumbered his lieutenants to save Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol from impeachment during a vote in the House.
Today, the ODM leader is expected to meet Siaya MCAs at the assembly chambers in what is seen as a move to reassure them of his support amid rebellion against them from the public over wrangles in the county.