- Some of the well known political rivals put aside their differences as they welcomed Ruto.
- Kenya Kwanza politicians worked with their ODM counterparts in harmony during the tour.
Image: FILE
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s allies shelved their differences usually fueled by clashing ambitions to give President William Ruto an historic reception during his tour of Luo Nyanza.
For the first time, governors and MPs from Raila’s Luo backyard dropped perennial supremacy wars on succession politics as President Ruto embarked on a four-day tour of the region.
In the past, rivalries have often played out during political functions including those attended by Raila, exposing the escalation of regional power feuds linked to 2027 politics.
Open wars have happened in Raila’s presence during funerals and public events when governors and MPs try to outdo each other on the political fronts.
However, despite Raila’s absence during Ruto’s tour of his heartland, regional feuds were put aside as the leaders put up a united front to welcome the President.
Both ODM and Kenya Kwanza politicians worked together with three key meetings having been held in Nairobi and Kisumu to plan for the tour.
The rare show of unity among political competitors and the meticulous planning of the trip with Raila’s blessings ensured that there was no chance for regional or local squabbles.
Raila is considered the Luo Nyanza political kingpin whose word is almost the law in the region, with those who enjoy his backing usually getting an easy ride in general elections.
It also emerged that Raila’s careful regional balance matrix in distributing the five Cabinet slots that were given to ODM by President Ruto enhanced the government’s fortunes.
In the reconstituted Cabinet, President Ruto picked Opiyo Wandayi from Siaya(Energy and Petroleum), John Mbadi from Homa Bay(National Treasury) and Kisumu’s Dorcus Oduor as the Attorney General.
To balance the power across the Luo Nyanza, Raila then appointed Suna East MP Junet Mohamed from Migori County as the National Assembly leader of the Minority.
The move by Raila and Ruto to ensure that each of the four Luo Nyanza counties was given a big job in the government reduced political antagonism and animosity among local politicians.
Ruto’s inclusion of the key ODM bigwigs in his Kenya Kwanza Cabinet could have bolstered his political dividends in Raila’s heartland after years of animosity.
Raila had after losing the 2022 polls declared that he would never recognize Ruto as president and called for countrywide protests to resist what he had termed as an “illegitimate regime".
Analysts argue that Raila’s allies were also keen not to entertain any lapses that could paint him negatively now that he is Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission chairperson.
“Any mistake during the trip that would see Ruto’s entourage heckled or booed, would have affected Raila’s AUC candidature and painted his people as intolerant,’’ said political analyst Alexander Nyamboya.
The deployment of governors, elected MPs, and senators and the deliberate involvement of political losers and hopefuls sealed any loopholes that could have spoiled the party for Ruto.
Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi said there was no room for any mistakes during the president’s tour of Luo Nyanza last week.
The MP attributed the largely successful visit to the decision by politicians from the region to work together as a team, burying differences that could have hurt the President if they played out.
“The trip was by larger and wide a major success, it was meticulously planned with clear objectives set before the tour and that is why leaders were able to work together across the political divide," Atandi said.
The President started his trip in Migori County on Wednesday, before moving to Homa Bay, Kisumu and Siaya where he launched several development projects accompanied by the region’s political leadership.
Governors Gladys Wanga, James Orengo, Anyang’ Nyong’o and Ochilo Ayacko were in the lead as President Ruto embarked on the Luo Nyanza tour last week.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who is also the host as the ODM deputy Party leader, said the President’s visit had to be a success because leaders put aside their local issues.
“That was a presidential visit and had nothing to do with local issues. The fact that leaders from the region sat down and agreed to embrace each other meant that there were no hurdles along the way,’’ Arati said.
Arati accompanied Ruto during the trip, which also included attending the homecoming ceremonies of Mbadi in Homa Bay and Wandayi in Siaya.
During the four-day trip, the president was warmly received across the region as politicians from ODM took central roles, including mobilizing residents at key stop-over points.
President Ruto’s allies from Luo Nyanza who have in the past claimed a huge space around him during his past tours, stepped back and agreed to work with Raila’s confidants to ensure success.
Odoyo Owidi, the chairperson of the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency said the president had the most successful trip ever by a sitting president.
“The success of the trip affirmed our commitment to bring all on board and to work as a team for the success of the issues that matter to our people, the president is welcome any time soon when he gets an opportunity,’’ Owidi said.
Owidi is one of the Kenya Kwanza politicians from Luo Nyanza who has been working with the President since the last general election.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said that Raila’s followers are “reasonable and only riot when there is a clear case of provocation and will never deliberately do what Baba does not stand for”.
Since his divorce from Raila in 2011, Ruto received what analysts termed as a heroic welcome for a prodigal son even as the tour signalled a possible partnership ahead of 2027.
Ruto was a key pillar of Raila’s ODM and served as a member of the Pentagon – a caucus of regional bigwigs who called the shots in the Orange party – before his acrimonious departure.
Despite criticism, some quarters within ODM revere Ruto as a steadfast and bold politician who never shies away from taking the bull by its horns given his instrumental role in Raila’s 2007 campaigns.
During his tour, the president paraded the senior government officials from Luo Nyanza working in his Kenya Kwanza administration to appease the populace and build confidence