Church invites Deputy President William Ruto to Kisumu

Deputy President William Ruto (left) with Raila Odinga at a past event in Nairobi. [File, Standard]

A Catholic church in Kisumu has written to Deputy President William Ruto asking him to grace a function.

The St Joseph’s Catholic Church has inivited the DP to a fund raiser on September 16 for construction of a priest’s house. Members of the fundraising coordinating committee - Richard Onyisi and Cephas Kasera, who is a former county chief finance officer - said they had confirmed with Ruto.

‘’We are looking forward to hosting him, God willing,” said Mr Kasera.

The letter dated July 24 seen by Sunday Standard is signed by father Tambo of Milimani Parish.

Ruto was recently in Kisumu where he attended the wedding of a couple from the Asian community, in what was described as a purely private affair. He did not speak to the public.

But Ruto has not visited Luo land, where ODM leader Raila Odinga – perceived as his political nemesis – hails from, choosing to focus on swing vote areas like Kisii, Western and Kuria. He has made several forays into Kisii and Western Kenya since re-election.

Nyanza branch Jubilee Secretary General Steve Biko asked Ruto to reach out to all communities as he steps up his presidential bid.

“We want to see a more inclusive approach exhibited by Ruto as he lobbies the rest of Kenyans to back his bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta,” said Biko.

Father Oliver Tambo, of Kisumu Mlimani Catholic Parish, also urged DP Ruto to arrange visits to Nyanza region.

“The church faithfully answers God’s call to love others. We must explain and demonstrate that love without ceasing, to apply it meaningfully,” the priest said.

“It is good to love when it is motivated by the Church’s or leaders’ concern for people,” said the priest, and asked Kenyans to stop ethnic bias and prejudices.