KISUMU, Kenya- President William Ruto begins an extensive development tour of Nyanza on Monday, seeking to consolidate his political support in the region as preparations for the 2027 General Election gather momentum.
The President arrived in Kisumu on Sunday and attended a service at the Voice of Salvation and Healing Church International, marking the beginning of a five-day programme covering Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay counties.
Ruto will spend Monday inspecting and commissioning projects in Kisumu before meeting political leaders and thousands of delegates drawn from the four counties.
Among the projects on his itinerary is the Sh16.7 billion Mamboleo Junction–Miwani–Chemelil–Muhoroni–Kipsitet highway, a 63-kilometre road connecting key agricultural and commercial centres.
He is also expected to inspect the Sh1.1 billion Rabuor–Chiga road in Nyando Constituency. The road is intended to provide an alternative route to the busy Ahero–Kisumu road and improve movement within the county.
Other engagements include commissioning the Sh7.5 billion Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project, which is jointly funded by the Kenyan government and the European Union.
The project is designed to expand access to clean water and sewerage services in Kisumu as the city’s population grows.
Ruto will also commission the Kisumu West Sub-County Police Headquarters at Otonglo and inspect the new Sh314 million control tower at Kisumu International Airport. The eight-storey tower has modern communication, surveillance and air traffic management systems.
The President is later expected to visit Jua Kali in Kisumu for a public engagement before holding a closed-door meeting at Kisumu State Lodge.
About 10,000 delegates from Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay counties are expected at the meeting, alongside elected leaders and senior government officials.
Ruto courts Nyanza ahead of 2027
Beyond the development programme, the tour comes as Ruto seeks to strengthen his political foothold in a region that overwhelmingly backed his opponents in previous presidential elections.
His administration has built a closer relationship with ODM through the broad-based government arrangement, which brought several senior politicians associated with the party into the Cabinet.
Speaking during Sunday’s church service, Ruto said UDA and ODM were partners rather than competitors and promised to continue working with the party’s leaders and supporters.
“ODM and UDA are not competitors; they are partners in the broad-based government,” Ruto said.
The President also described himself as a student of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and promised to honour his political legacy.
“It may not be possible to replace Raila Amollo Odinga. Raila had an agenda that was national,” he said.
“In honour of my brother Raila, I will make sure that his party lives on and ensure that his party will build Kenya.”
The remarks signal Ruto’s intention to maintain the political cooperation established with Raila while positioning himself to attract a larger share of the Nyanza vote in 2027.
However, the President’s outreach is unfolding amid renewed opposition mobilisation in the region. Leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi have recently held rallies in Kisumu and Homa Bay as they seek to reclaim political ground and unite behind one presidential candidate.
Four-county itinerary
On Tuesday, Ruto is scheduled to travel to Siaya County, where he will inspect the Dhogoye Bridge project in Usenge, Bondo Constituency.
He will also tour projects in Ugenya, Rarieda and Alego Usonga constituencies, including Siaya Stadium, Siaya Hospital and several road and water projects.
The President is expected to address residents at Ahindi Gardens in Siaya town.
On Wednesday, he will proceed to Migori County to inspect the Stella–Sibuoche–Gogo road in Uriri and the Kanyawanga–Kwoyo–Madiaba road in Awendo.
His Migori itinerary also includes projects in Kuria West and Suna East constituencies, including the Masaba electricity substation and local road networks.
Ruto will conclude the tour in Homa Bay on Thursday. He is expected to visit markets constructed under the Economic Stimulus Programme in Kabondo Kasipul, Karachuonyo and Suba South.
The President will also inspect the Sindo Kenya Medical Training College access road, town roads and the Junction–Kodiyo–Pier road in Homa Bay Town Constituency.
The government says it is implementing projects valued at more than Sh220 billion across the four counties, covering roads, water, housing, markets, healthcare and other public infrastructure.
The tour presents Ruto with an opportunity to showcase those projects while building relationships with residents and regional leaders ahead of his expected bid for a second term in 2027.
