President William Ruto yesterday made a strong development and political pitch to ODM leader Raila Odinga's Nyanza backyard as he strengthened his bid to cement a broad base of support for his administration.
Under the rallying call of the need to promote national unity, the common interest of improving the lives of all Kenyans as well as equity in development, Ruto is a man on a mission.
And if his choice of words and actions as he addressed residents in Homa Bay is anything to read from, a development-driven "Handshake" with the ODM leader could be in the offing as he continues to build his presidential profile as a non-discriminating leader.
In what appeared to be an olive branch to the opposition, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua said they were keen to build a friendship with the region and claimed that even Raila is also with them.
Ruto urged residents and the leaders to put politics aside until 2027 and focus on service delivery and development as he unveiled a list of ambitious projects his administration intends to deliver in South Nyanza.
The development came as jubilant crowds and an army of Raila's political troops in ODM welcomed the Head of State in Homa Bay for the start of his two-day working tour of the region.
The strategy of the president was apparent. His mission is to transform the lives of all Kenyans anchored in a centre of the economic and development spectrum.
Messages of the need to forge unity to foster development dominated speeches, with the president saying that his administration was committed to improving lives of all Kenyans.
The president commissioned the construction of an affordable housing project targeting 5,000 houses in Homa Bay and listed several other developments projects his administration intends to undertake in Nyanza.
"There is no community, county or Kenyan who will remain behind. We will move forward together," said Ruto.
Ruto announced plans to implement projects targeting the blue economy, trade, infrastructure and agriculture.
In his development checklist, the president said his administration will rehabilitate Kendu Bay, Homa Bay and Mbita piers at a cost of Sh600 million.
Despite the potential they have to transform the region's economy and breathe life into the grossly underutilised maritime transport, the small ports have been lying eerily desolate for several years.
This, however, is likely to change after the president visited Homa Bay pier and fronted its revival as one of his key development plans for the region.
The president also said that his administration would construct a Sh300 million fish market in Homa Bay. The project will be implemented through a partnership with governor Gladys Wanga's administration, which is expected to donate land.
The president believes that the establishment of the market will play an important role in reviving the fishing industry which has been one of the backbone of the region's economy.
He pledged to commission the project in December.
In his development pitch, the president also announced plans to pursue the construction and completion of several roads in South Nyanza that have either stalled or are yet to be started.
In his speech, he surprised locals with his in-depth knowledge of several roads in Homa Bay and their status and said that his administration would build about 10 kilometre roads in Homa Bay.
In Homa Bay town, the government plans to invest Sh1 billion in a water project to serve the region, with Ruto also saying that they will upgrade the town into a city.
"Roads that have stalled will be completed from next month," he said.
In agriculture, the president said his administration had put in place plans to improve cotton farming through the introduction of new seeds. He challenged farmers to register for the fertiliser subsidies.
"We will give the county two million tree seedlings to top up the two million they have so we can improve the tree and forest cover," he said.
Earlier, the president received a memorandum from local leaders led by governor Gladys Wanga who expressed their commitment to work with the new administration to deliver development to the people.
Among the projects they urged the president to consider were revival of fish processing plant, cotton farming, upgrading of Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital, the construction of several dams and water projects.
The president said his administration would deliver several development projects in the region.
For a man who claimed he got only one per cent of votes in Nyanza, Ruto is keen to charm his way to the opposition bedrock with a bag of development cards. He also teased residents to remember him in future.
"My former opponent Raila got 28 per cent of votes in my backyard and 25 per cent in Gachagua's turf. You have my debt," Ruto said.
"I have decided to serve you without considering anything that happened in the past. It is not time for politics but you should remember lest I petition you before God," Ruto said.
Gachagua said they had a concrete plan to transform all regions in the country without sidelining any place.
Gachagua paraded key government appointees in Ruto's administration from the region to demonstrate that they had not sidelined Nyanza.
The appointees include ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
"Nyanza is part of us. We will work for you as the people of Kenya. Even Baba (Raila) is also ours and we will give him all the respect he deserves," said Gachagua.
Leaders who accompanied the president said they were focused on working with the government to deliver development to the people. After his visit to Homa Bay, the president toured the Sh3 billion Kisumu port.
According to governors Ochilo Ayacko (Migori) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), the national government is a key partner that can help unlock development in counties.
"I bring message of goodwill from the people of Migori who have agreed to partner with you for the forsake of development," said Ayacko.
Wanga said that although they were in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, they were keen to work with Ruto's administration for the sake of development.
"There are no people of national or county government; these people are Kenyans so we must work together to deliver for our people," said Wanga.
Senator Moses Kajwang said that although they may disagree on some issues, the need to deliver to Kenyans was a uniting factor.
Earlier, Ruto received a rousing welcome as leaders led by Wanga showered him with gifts, including a 200-kg fish.
He arrived in Homa Bay town in his Air Force chopper at about 11:45am and was received at the Kabunde Airstrip by several leaders from the region.
[James Omoro, Olivia Odhiambo and Harold Odhiambo]
