Omollo: Nyanza must reward Ruto’s development efforts

Gem MP Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo and Interior PS Raymond Omollo arrive for a public event in Siaya County on October 31, 2026/HANDOUTInterior PS Raymond Omollo has cited development projects undertaken by President William Ruto’s administration in Nyanza as evidence of its commitment to serving Kenyans across political and ethnic divides.

Omollo said the government’s development agenda had continued to benefit residents of Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori and Kisumu counties, despite the region’s historical political alignment with the Opposition.

Speaking in Siaya county during a regional tour accompanied by Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda Ogolla and Gem MP Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo, the Principal Secretary urged residents to support the administration, arguing that development and service delivery should take precedence over political affiliations.

He expressed optimism that the growing government presence in the region would translate into political support for Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“Development and service delivery should guide political decisions,” Omollo said, urging residents to recognise the government’s efforts and remain united as the country prepares for the next elections.

He noted that while political leaders continued to negotiate alliances and positions within the broad-based government, grassroots residents were increasingly embracing the administration’s development agenda.

Bondo MP said Ruto was deliberately working to restore the Luo community’s place in national governance and leadership after years of perceived political exclusion.

He argued that the President’s engagement with the region was creating opportunities for residents to participate in decision-making without abandoning their political identity.

“President William Ruto is strategically and deliberately reintegrating the Luo community back into the central map of Kenyan governance and national leadership,” Ogolla said.

He added that while national political leaders continued to engage in high-level negotiations, residents at the grassroots had already made up their minds to support the direction taken by local leaders.

Interior PS Raymond Omollo engages with women in Siaya County on October 31, 2026/HANDOUTOgolla said the community was increasingly embracing cooperation with the national government to secure long-term development, economic transformation and sustainable political representation.

Gem MP, meanwhile, called for flexibility in political negotiations, arguing that rigid agreements between political parties had previously failed to deliver meaningful benefits to communities.

He said the broad-based government under the “Usawa” banner should prioritise inclusivity and national cohesion rather than restrictive bilateral arrangements that demand fixed shares of government positions.

“Kenya belongs equally to all its communities—from the Luo, Kamba, and Kikuyu to the Giriama, Mijikenda, and beyond,” Odhiambo said.

The legislator argued that maintaining flexibility in political partnerships would allow the government to accommodate diverse communities while promoting equitable representation and national unity.

The remarks come amid renewed efforts by Ruto’s allies to consolidate support in Nyanza as political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.

The region has traditionally been a stronghold of the Orange Democratic Movement, founded by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose political influence shaped successive electoral contests.