President William Ruto's allies in Luo Nyanza led by former Migori governor Okoth Obado on Saturday renewed calls to Nyanza residents to join the ruling UDA party.
Speaking during the burial of Mama Filgona Ayugi, the former Governor who is the UDA Nyanza regional coordinator asked the residents not to be afraid to join UDA.
He said that UDA is a mass movement that continues to spread its tentacles throughout the country.
He said Kenya is a multi-party democracy and the residents must not be afraid to join any party of their choice.
"We're a multi-party democracy. I ask you to remain steadfast and don't feel intimidated," he said.
Obado declared at the funeral that he was the one who would deliver the people of Nyanza to Canaan.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has in the past rallied support for his unsuccessfully bid for the presidency, urging his supporters that he would deliver them to the promised land.
"I will take you to the promised land through UDA. We are ready to baptize you to this new movement," he said
Obado said President William Ruto has embraced members of the Luo community and appealed to Luo Nyanza to embrace the government.
"He is willing to work with us. Let's reciprocate as a community," he added.
Obado further asked the region to also support the sons and daughters of the community who have been given government appointments
During the funeral, Obado officially welcomed former assistant minister Prof Ayiecho Olweny to UDA.
Ayiecho who served as Kisumu County ODM chairman until October last year said he is now fully in UDA.
"I was chased out of ODM at a funeral in Seme Constituency and today I have joined UDA in this funeral of mama Philegona Ayuga," he said.
The late Ayugi contested, unsuccessfully, on the UDA ticket as the party's Kisumu woman representative candidate.
She is the mother of UDA politician George Ayugi aka Mbuta and Victor Ayugi who works at the office of interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo.
She was eulogized by leaders, including President William Ruto as a God-fearing, loving and brave woman leader.
The president in a message of condolence, read by CS Eliud Owalo described her as a friend who defied the ODM wave in Nyanza to vie, unsuccessfully as a woman representative for Kisumu County.
Amongst the leaders who attended the burial included CS Eliud Owalo, interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo, Kisumu senator Prof Tom Ojienda, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, former CAS Ken Obura, Nyanza regional commissioner Flora Mworoa and party leader of Green Party of Kenya Hilary Alila amongst others.
Speaking during the send-off, senator Ojienda thanked the national government for supporting the ongoing dredging of Nyamthoye to open up the area for irrigation. He said more projects will come to Nyanza.
"We must work with government. We pay taxes and we can't distance ourselves from the government. Let's embrace the government so that we see development in Nyanza," he said.
The senator at the same time hailed interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo and CS Eliud Owalo for lobbying for development in the region.
"For the first time let's agree that Kenya is a multi-party democracy and everyone has the right to push whatever ideology and philosophy they believe will advance their agenda," he said.
"Let us free our people and allow them to work closely with President Ruto's government," the senator
PS Omollo asked the family to continue the legacies left behind by the late matriarch.
He at the same time asked elected leaders to be accountable to the electorate by ensuring they fulfill the promises they made during the campaigns.
Dr Omollo reiterated his commitment to helping the president by delivering on the tasks bestowed upon him in the interior by the president.
In regards to the long school holidays, the PS appealed to parents to keenly monitor their children during the holidays.
He also appealed to Kenyans to take advantage of the ongoing rains to grow various crops in order to boost food security.
Dr Omollo noted that the government is working closely with the county governments to ensure health care services are availed to the citizens.
"The government has also rolled out various programs that will ensure unemployment facing the youth is addressed," he said.
ICT CS Eliud Owalo said President Ruto has embraced members of the Luo community as his own children.
"Work with the government of the day. For the first time we are getting tangible and feasible projects," he said.
The CS said the government has intensified efforts to improve the fishing industry, resuscitate the sugar industry, and infrastructure
"He also appealed to his colleagues from the community who have been appointed in Ruto's government to unite.
"Let's unite and ensure that we help our people get jobs at various levels of the position we hold," he said.
Owalo noted that Ruto will serve beyond 2027 and asked the Luo community to strategically position themselves ahead of the next general elections.