Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has praised the growing collaboration between President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying the alliance is already delivering positive political and economic results.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 4, Governor Nyong’o emphasized that the partnership is crucial for promoting national cohesion and driving development.
He encouraged the two leaders to continue conducting joint tours across the country, describing them as vital steps toward strengthening inclusivity.
“We fully support the joint efforts of President Ruto and Raila Odinga, as they serve the greater goal of national unity and development,” Nyong’o said.
He added that the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two leaders reflects a shared vision of an inclusive and broad-based government. “We welcome the peace, hope, and unity this cooperation has brought to the nation,” he noted.
The governor also expressed gratitude to President Ruto for the ongoing development projects in Kisumu County, including affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades, and improvements in road and air transport. He said these initiatives are significantly enhancing the region’s social and economic progress.
“Our thanks go to the president for his administration’s commitment to numerous projects in Kisumu, many of which are making solid progress,” he stated.
Governor Nyong’o had previously voiced skepticism over the unexpected alliance between Ruto and Raila, given their long-standing political rivalry.
In an earlier statement on April 22, he had criticized the national government for allegedly sidelining counties and weakening the spirit of devolution. He questioned the relevance of national agencies like the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERA), arguing that their roles could be devolved.
However, the tide seemed to shift after Ruto and Raila formalized their partnership by signing an MoU on March 7, which surprised many political observers. The deal brought together Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to work on shared national priorities.
Key elements of their agreement include implementing the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, tackling youth unemployment, enforcing the two-thirds gender rule, and promoting unity across all communities regardless of political or religious backgrounds.
