Ruto returns to Gusiiland three weeks after protests

Deputy President William Ruto returns to Gusiiland this week in a two-day vote=hunting tour despite a last visit marred by violence.

The DP is scheduled to visit Kenyenya, Kisii County, on Friday but he will first visit Kebirigo and Sironga in Nyamira on Thursday.

His tour of Kisii comes amid preparations for the county to host national Mashujaa Day celebrations.

Top government officials including Cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries have been touring the county to inspect various projects ahead of their launch by President Kenyatta.

Political observers believe the DP’s constant visits in search of support from Gusiiland are a direct confrontation with Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, who is the linchpin of the handshake duo — his boss President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Dr Ruto has been in constant collision with Dr Matiang’i after the President elevated the CS to spearhead government projects two years ago, roles that were initially seen as the DP’s.

Community interests

Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi said the DP’s visits are in the best interest of the community.

“Yes, he will be here for a fundraiser. We pray that the chaos experienced during his last visit will not recur,” he said, adding their interest is changing women’s through the fundraiser.

The DP’s hunt for political support in Kisii comes ahead of the President’s planned visit to the region for the Mashujaa Day fete.

When he visited the county three weeks ago, protests broke out in Kisii town, where he was expected to meet bodaboda riders, a section of Gusii leaders and traders.

Reports indicated that the protests were staged by a pro-handshake team, which the DP’s supporters came out to counter.

DP Ruto is returning to the region this time ostensibly to conduct fundraising events for churches, youths and women groups.

North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, who will host the DP in Nyamira, noted that the DP will fund-raise for 10 churches and a bodaboda sacco.

But even as the DP increases his forays in Kisii, some legislators seem to be drifting away from him. Bobasi MP Innocent Obiri, who has been a fierce critic of Dr Matiang’i, is the latest legislator to show his support for the CS.

During a function last week at Nyakegogi Catholic Church, the MP surprised a congregation when he said he had been sent by the CS to hand over his contribution for the event.

With Mr Obiri’s defection, the DP is now left with only two MPs from the county, Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango) and Alpha Miruka (Bomachoge Chache).

Allies’ tours

Meanwhile, the DP’s thirst to rally support from Luo Nyanza counties continued Monday as his allies and pointmen from the region toured Migori County to spread the ‘hustler movement’ message to the youth.

Migori is the third county the Ruto team has visited, led by politician Eliud Owalo, who was accompanied by Kuria West MP Mathias Robbie in launching the movement’s Migori chapter.

The visit comes after one to Siaya last Friday and another to Kisumu on Sunday, which Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi attended.

In Kisumu, Mr Owalo and Mr Sudi consolidated the many groups supporting the DP to avoid conflicts that may hinder his activities there in future.

Mr Owalo, who recently decamped from Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress, said their main aim was to make Migori the “hustler’s political stronghold”.

“The meeting also undertook partnerships with integral stakeholders in the county and beyond to ensure a successful 2022 presidential bid,” he said.

The team also reiterated its focus on community needs, key among them being how to improve living standards, as well as moving from tribal politicking to the development agenda.

The message being sold is how the DP will handle problems bedeviling the region, including unemployment among the youth, lack of business opportunities for women and basic subsistence for the common mwananchi.

Migori complexities

Migori is an interesting region for the DP considering his cosy relationship with Governor Zachary Obado, who enjoys massive support from the locals.

His influence has given the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) a major headache in the past elections, having beaten the party’s choice Edward Oyugi in the 2013 polls to clinch the governor seat.

Mr Obado also floored Ochillo Ayacko, another preferred candidate, to retain his seat in 2017.

He is currently giving the orange party problems over his planned impeachment due to a corruption case and should he work with the DP, ODM will have a tough time retaining its support base ahead of the 2022 General Election.

Present at the Migori function at Simba Hills Hotel were 'hustler' coordinating team chair Paul Ouma and youth leaders Osama Bin Laden and Mark Ogol.

Also in attendance were Migori’s Jubilee chair Nelson Babere, MCAs led by Nicholas Ngabiya, elders Chacha Masubo, Fares Oguda, Paul Kirwa and Augustine Mwita, as well as representatives of matatu, boda boda and jua kali sectors.

The next stop for the DP’s allies is Homa Bay County.