Homa Bay UDA team takes Ruto's unity call to residents

United Democratic Movement party officials in Homa Bay have started cascading President William Ruto's unity calls to the county level.

The UDA team said they are using the strategy to mobilise residents and entire Luo community to join the government and work with President Ruto.

Homa Bay UDA executive council officials want residents and other counties around the lake region to accord Ruto necessary support in his quest to unite the country.

Former Nairobi Governor, Evans Kidero, Homa Bay UDA party chairman, Kennedy Obuya, former Rangwe MP, Martin Ogindo and Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA) chairman Odoyo Owidi said they want the community to remain in government.

Others present were Silas Jakakimba (secretary) and Rosemary Rumo (vice chairperson).

Kidero argued that they have been tasked by President Ruto to marshal the lake region to the government as he embark on undertaking development projects in Nyanza and other parts of the country.

“Nyanza must take off in development and this can be realised when Kenyans are united. President Ruto wants all Kenyans on board and therefore Luo community shouldn’t be left behind,” Kidero said.

The Nyanza region, which overwhelmingly supports AUC candidate Raila Odinga, has for many years been in the opposition.

But on Saturday, the UDA team said President Ruto is changing the narrative after he went ahead and appointed some ODM party leaders from Nyanza region into the Cabinet despite voting against him in the last general election.

Those appointed in the Cabinet from Nyanza include John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy).

Speaking during a meeting in Kendu Bay town, Kidero said the appointment of Mbadi and Wandayi were done because of their competency.

“They are professionals and we believe they will help the President to deliver on his mandate. Let’s work together and realise development,” he said.

During the meeting, the UDA executive committee resolved to strengthen Ruto's political vision of uniting the country.

The team said they will continue with UDA membership recruitment drive as the race for 2027 elections beckon.

“We will increase the number of registered members from the current 40 per cent to 60 per cent. UDA will sponsor candidates in all elective seats in Homa Bay,” Kidero said.

Owidi said UDA officials endorse President Ruto's move of bringing on board Raila and to his government.  

He said Nyanza region has finally understood the benefits of being in government and the community is not ready to make a mistake of opposing the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“Some of us joined the government but got a lot of criticism. It is now evident that everyone wants to be part of the government,” Owidi said.

He told members of the Luo community not to step back from supporting President Ruto.

“We have affirmed as a community that we will not agree with anyone who says the government is not the best place to be,” Owidi said. 

Ogindo said they have been instructed by the President to ask the Luo community to join the government.

He said they will ensure the unity of the country prevails.

"We look forward to a united country and we will not leave the government,” Ogindo said.

Jakakimba said the executive committee expresses solidarity with development initiatives implemented by President Ruto.

Obuya said the ongoing development should be embraced.

“We make a prayer that projects that were proposed by leaders in the county be fast tracked,” he said.