President William Ruto has pledged to initiate new development projects in Nyanza and complete those initiated by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta during the handshake era in the last administration.

President Ruto, who is on a two-day tour of Nyanza region, said the country had turned a new leaf after the August 9th presidential contest and he would ensure equitable distribution of the national cake, regardless of how Kenyans voted.

Ruto’s forays in Nyanza were laced with political symbolism, five months after the general election.

The four counties of Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori did not dance to his hustler political tune and voted almost to man for his prime competitor in the presidential contest, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party flagbearer Raila Odinga.

“We voted nearly 100 per cent for Azimio and we are Baba’s people, but we thank you that you have agreed as the President of the nation to come together with us so that we can develop our country moving forward,” said Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua stated: “Umesema nyinyi ni watu wa Baba na ni kweli, kwani Baba ni wa nani? Ata sisi Baba ni wetu, na kama Baba ni wetu na nyinyi ni watu wa Baba, ata nyinyi ni watu wetu. Sisi hatuna issue na Baba, uchaguzi imeisha.”

President Ruto on his part noted: “Unajua Agwambo huko kwetu alipata 28%, kwa kina Rigathi alipata 25%... hapa mlinipatia 1%.”

Revisiting the August 9th presidential election voting pattern in Nyanza region, Odinga’s political bedrock, made for an ice breaker.

“We agree that the people of Nyanza are citizens of Kenya by right, and it is not a favour that because we pay taxes, we are citizens of this republic, and you have done well to come and talk to us, even though najua kura tulikupatia kama apuoyo (rabbit)…lakini hata hivyo ukaamua kuja kwetu,” said Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang.

President Ruto retorted: “Mimi naona kama Kajwang hajasema vizuri, amedanganyana… kwa sababu ile nilitoka nayo hapa sio apuoyo (rabbit), ni oyieyo (rat).”

The highlight of President Ruto’s tour of Homa Bay County was the launch of the first phase of an affordable housing construction project.

Construction of the 5,000 housing units aims at resolving the housing deficit in the county and boosting economic fortunes of the lakeside county.

“Tutahakikisha ya kwamba bei ya kulipa hiyo nyumba itakuwa ni kati ya shilingi elfu tano na elfu kumi…na baada ya miaka kumi na tano, hiyo nyumba inakuwa yako, hakuna tena mambo ya kulipa rent,” said President Ruto.

In April 2018, Homa Bay County became the first devolved unit to sign the affordable housing memorandum of understanding with the national government and set aside 11.6 acres for the multimillion-shilling project.

So far, 39 counties have identified land on which the affordable houses will be constructed, with the program cumulatively targeting to yield 599,000 housing units across the country.

“I want to commit to you that as a county, what we have said is that we’re putting money with KCB bank so that any of our young people and MSMEs that are given contracts here to do, can go to the bank and take the money required,” said Governor Wanga.

President Ruto added: “Wakati tunajenga hii manyumba yote, wale mafundi na wafanyibiashara wote watakaokuwa suppliers watakuwa ni watu wa hapa Homa Bay, hakuna mtu atatolewa Nairobi, Kisumu…vijana wa Homa Bay ndio wataajiriwa ili waweze kushughulika na mambo ya maendeleo ya kaunti hii.”

The President also commissioned the newly constructed Homa Bay Municipal Market, while promising a bag of goodies for the Nyanza region during a two-hour closed-door meeting with elected leaders.

This includes new roads and completing projects initiated by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta during the handshake season.

Construction of new pier and a fish a processing from December this year was also in the president’s bag of goodies.

President Ruto also officially opened an administration and lecture halls block at Tom Mboya University, before ending his tour of Homa Bay County by gracing a football match in a tournament organised by Governor Wanga.

On Saturday, Ruto will tour Odinga’s home county of Siaya and Kisumu later in the day.