- The President will on Thursday start a packed three-day working tour of Kisii, Nyamira and Migori counties.
- The trip comes against the backdrop of a major political standoff between Ruto and the opposition.
Image: RIGATHI GACHAGUA/TWITTER
At least three governors allied to opposition Chief Raila Odinga will be on focus over the next three days as President William Ruto tours South Nyanza.
The President will on Thursday start a packed three-day working tour of Kisii, Nyamira and Migori counties.
The trip comes against the backdrop of a major political standoff between Ruto and the opposition with some governors allied to Raila opposed to the President.
Governors Simba Arati (Kisii), Amos Nyaribo(Nyamira) and Ochillo Ayacko(Migori) are all allied to Raila's Azimio coalition.
Arati and Ayako, both of ODM, have actively participated in the Azimio La Umoja campaigns against Ruto including playing host to anti-government rallies.
Ayacko recently held a highly-charged Azimio rally in Migori that affirmed that Kenya Kwanza did not win last year's presidential election.
Ayacko has been traversing the country for Azimio rallies, accompanying Raila to the people's barazas in which Ruto's legitimacy was put to question.
Migori is also among the Azimio counties that have recently been rocked by massive protests against President Ruto's administration.
On March 10, Ayacko hosted a public baraza in Migori town as the opposition launched their march to State House ultimatum.
However, when Ruto toured Luo Nyanza in January Ayacko had indicated that he has no problem working with the government of the day.
On February 17, Azimio took their campaigns to Gusii stadium where they were hosted by Arati.
The Azimio team also traversed parts of Kisii and Nyamira counties as they railed against President Ruto's administration.
However, Arati has previously held separate talks with President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
On his part, Nyaribo recently affirmed that he will work with president Ruto.
A week ago, Nyaribo chaired a meeting of elected leaders from his United Progressive Alliance party where a resolution to work with Kenya Kwanza was reached.
“I want to make it clear that we have not joined Kenya Kwanza and we will not fold to join the United Democratic Alliance. But we have decided to work with the government of the day,” Nyaribo said after the meeting.
The President will be in Kisii and Nyamira counties on Thursday and Friday before moving to Migori's Kuria side on Saturday.
During the working tour, the president will commission a number of development projects and also hold meetings with elected leaders from the region.
This is Ruto's first trip to South Nyanza as President.