Leaders from Western Kenya have pledged to continue working with the broad-based government.
Most of them members of the ODM party, pointed out that their late leader, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, made a bold move to unite the opposition and the government for the sake of national unity and inclusive national transformation.
The leaders spoke at various stops during President William Ruto’s development tour of Busia County on the second day of his four-day visit to the Western region that began on Thursday in Kakamega County.
Busia Governor Paul Otwoma said leaders from both the opposition and the government would continue working together to advance the development agenda in line with Odinga’s wishes.
He commended Ruto, saying he had shown commitment to serving all regions and cited the government’s development record in Busia County.
“We were in different camps! We were in Mr Odinga’s camp. However, Odinga joined hands with President Ruto. Unfortunately, he left us, but he left us in government,” he said.
Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, who is also a former ODM deputy party leader, said party members had resolved to remain in the broad-based government where Mr Odinga left them.
“For 13 years, I was Mr Odinga’s deputy. He left us with President Ruto. We will therefore work towards fulfilling what he agreed with President Ruto – to unite the country,” he said.
Oparanya explained that Ruto has a bold vision to lift Kenyans out of poverty, citing the building of markets and roads to boost trade.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said President Ruto and Odinga formed the broad-based government to unite the country.
He urged Kenyans to shun small, divisive political groupings and join hands in advancing the national development agenda.
Speaking in symbolic imagery, Mudavadi said: “Let us not ditch the big ship for a small boat amid strong waves in the sea.”
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula called for unity of purpose and urged leaders to leverage the broad-based government to work towards a common goal.
During the 2022 election, he pointed out, there were two main political camps: Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja, which have since come together.
“As a community and as people in this region, let us unite and support our President, foster peace in our nation so that development can reach everyone. Let us reject those pushing politics of hatred and shareholding. They have no agenda beyond the ‘Ruto must go’ slogans,” he said.
At the same time, President Ruto said the government is implementing development programmes equitably across the country to ensure no region is left behind.
He said he had teamed up with Odinga to form a broad-based government that brings all Kenyans together.
The President described tribal, divisive, and “shareholding politics” as outdated and retrogressive.
“By God’s grace, as the leader of our nation, I will ensure no region is left behind,” he said. “We won’t discriminate against or leave any region behind,” he explained.
He cautioned Kenyans to be wary of leaders bent on dividing the country and promoting politics of discrimination.
On those angling to compete with him in the next election, Ruto reminded them that this is not the time for politicking.
He also pointed out that those pushing slogans like “Ruto must go” have proven that they lack an agenda, saying they will be rejected by Kenyans.
“Those saying ‘must go’ will lead the way,” he said.
Ruto announced that the Standard Gauge Railway would be extended from Naivasha to Malaba to connect Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, and Central Africa Republic, easing movement of goods and services and promoting trade.
“You will see me in December in Naivasha launching the extension works of the Standard Gauge Railway,” he said.
Ruto launched and inspected the construction progress of several affordable housing projects, modern fresh produce markets and students’ hostels being built in Busia County.
He also laid the foundation stone for a 340-bed capacity hostel at Bumbe National Polytechnic, Funyula Constituency, an investment worth Sh154 million.
He also inspected progress at the Funyula Affordable Housing Project, where 955 units are under construction.
Additionally, he announced that the government is investing Sh18 billion to build 10,000 housing units, 14 markets, and hostels with a total capacity of 6,000 beds in the county.
At Alupe University in Matayos Constituency, the President inspected hostel facilities under construction at a cost of Sh1.17 billion.
The project will deliver 1,025 hostel beds and be complemented by amenities such as a student centre, swimming pool, and basketball court.
Ruto said the government has embarked on an ambitious upgrade of hostel facilities across institutions of higher learning in Kenya, including universities and technical colleges.
In Amukura, Teso South, he laid the foundation stone for a 340-bed students’ hostel at Kamunuoit Teachers Training College.
Furthermore, he said the government has allocated Sh1.3 billion to connect 15,000 households to electricity in the county.
He also confirmed that the government would build a stadium in Busia town at a cost of Sh900 million to nurture youth talent in the region.
In Teso North, he laid the foundation stone for the Sh350 million Malaba County Strategic Market, and also launched construction of the Busia ATC Complex Affordable Housing Project, which will comprise 1,025 units.
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