On Friday, January 13, 2023, President William Ruto made an imposing entry into Raila Odinga’s home ground of Homa Bay county.
Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga was the host of the Head of State, who, upon stepping out of the military chopper, was greeted by a red carpet with senior government officials lined sideways to greet the president.
Before his arrival, the landing area was a beehive of activities, with both junior and senior security officials combing the area to stave off any potential breach of security. As the military choppers approached, Wanga made rare majestic strolls while engaging in light conversations with security officials.
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However, officials in the company of Wanga found it rough as their opportunity to come face to face with the president was futile, with Wanga only allowed to have a handful of people around her. The officials who argued that they accompanied the governor were shoved off as the security personnel would be heard saying, “tunajua leo mko na governor, but this is not just any other day.”
The ecstatic battery of senior government officials shook the president’s hands, starting with his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua and the host governor. Other notable persons present at the reception were Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Wanga’s Deputy Oyugi Magwanga, ICT CS Eliud Owalo and Education CS Ezekiel Machogu, among others.
This Ruto’s visit was unconventional and more cordial compared to Uhuru Kenyatta’s similar visit to Migori County in 2014 following his election. Uhuru’s security was breached where rowdy youths disrupted his meeting while throwing shoes at the main dais.
Read: Details Of President Ruto’s Planned Visit To Nyanza
After arriving at the, President Ruto held a meeting with senior officials of Homa Bay at Tom Mboya University in Homabay Town, where Wanga presented the development plan of the county to the president.
Leaders present at the meeting were DP Gachagua, Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, Nominated MP John Mbadi, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Atieno and Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo among others.
Ruto also commissioned newly constructed lecturer halls and administration block of Tom Mboya University, commissioned Homa Bay Municipal Market and launched a 5000-unit affordable housing development in Homa Bay town.
The highly publicized tour has been touted to dissolve Raila Odinga’s influence in the resistive Nyanza Region, where Ruto received underwhelming support in the 2022 general election.
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