Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero on Saturday started mobilising United Democratic Alliance supporters in Homa Bay to officially register with the party.
The registration began after interim officials were issued with booklets for manual and online registration of new members at the grass-root.
The move is part of the agenda of marshaling support for UDA and President William Ruto in Nyanza.
The launch of the registration drive came in handy before an official opening of the county office in May where the party Secretary General Cleophas Malala will preside over the ceremony.
Kidero said they expect to register at least 300,000 members in the next four months. Homa Bay is currently having more than 551,000 registered voters.
Residents were urged to take advantage of the drive to join the government and be part and parcel of it.
“Let Homa Bay people register with UDA as largely as possible. We shouldn’t continue running as a trade mill which doesn’t have direction,” Kidero said.
Speaking during a meeting at Goono Konyuka in Homa Bay Town constituency, Kidero who is the chief administrative secretary for Trade and Investment asked residents to support President Ruto and the government's agenda.
He argued that Kenya Kwanza government has an inclusive transformative agenda of which his Luo community is part of it.
The CAS was accompanied by the chairman of Fish Martketin Authority Martin Ogindo, chairman of Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA) Odoyo Owidi, and Homa Bay UDA coordinator John Odek.
Others were former Homa Bay UDA governor candidate Mark Rabudi, the county senatorial candidate Kenneth Kambona and woman representative candidate Tabitha Nyandiek among others.
Kidero said he joined the government to help in implementing development agenda not only in Luo Nyanza but also in the entire country.
“It’s time for cross over and I want Nyanza people not to be left out. We want to turn this Nyanza region yellow.”
According to Kidero, they have already secured land in Homa Bay town and funds for the construction of UDA party office, adding that the project will give job opportunities to residents.
“We will employ an executive officer to run the county office. People will also run constituency and ward offices,” Kidero said.
Nyanza is perceived as ODM leader Raila Odinga's stronghold as he normally gets overwhelming support in presidential elections.
Owidi asked residents to abandon political parties which do not benefit them. He said the registration drive will be done both manually and digitally.
In the manual system, 10,000 people will have their details captured in one booklet.
“It’s high time we focused on what benefits us. Register with UDA because President Ruto always stands with his people,” Owidi said.
The LVSWWDA official said they will use their positions in government to work for the people. He said his office will ensure a constant supply of clean water to the people.
“We want youths not to be misused by taking them to anti-government protests. Demonstrations drive away investors and destroy properties,” he added.
Ogindo urged Luos to support President Ruto's government because it has embraced the community despite not voting for him in the last general poll.
He said Ruto supported Raila in the 2007 presidential election, adding that appointing them into his government is a show of love.
“As Luo community, we should appreciate Ruto and reciprocate by voting him in 2027 elections,” Ogindo said.
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