Welcome to Siaya Kababa: Ruto Makes First Hospitable Visit to Raila’s Homeground

The President will be visiting Siaya County not only as the President of the Republic of Kenya but as a highlight welcome guest.

Governor Orengo (right) with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at a past function. Photo | X

Siaya County is the backyard of the doyen of Kenya’s opposition politics Raila Amollo Odinga and one of opposition strongholds in Kenya which overwhelmingly voted against president Ruto in the August 2022 elections.

The president’s program kicks off at 9:00 AM with a visit to Mageta Island to commission the Solar PV Mini Grid.

The president will then land in Siaya town where he will launch the construction of the modern ESP Market located next to the 20,000 capacity Siaya Stadium.

A focal point of the president’s visit will be the launch of the multi-million Siriwo Rice Mill in Alego-Usonga Constituency.

President Ruto will make history today as the first president of Kenya to ever step in Usonga Ward.

Later the president will make an appearance at CS Opiyo Wandayi Thanksgiving Service.

During his tour the president will be accompanied by Senior Counsel James Aggrey Bob Orengo, the Siaya Governor, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, newly appointed CSs Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya and John Mbadi among other important people in the National and county government.

For Sylvester K’Okoth the Agriculture CS in Siaya County, it will be a career milestone as he will guide the presidential tour of Siriwo Rice Mill which is not far from Kojema Watering Hole.

20,000 sitting capacity Siaya Stadium is nearing completion. Photo | George Adeya

While online critics have hyped the failures of Siaya County, little is ever said of the progress in construction of the new bus park, the ongoing construction of the modern market and Governor Orengo’s devolution of projects to municipalities and Wards.

For a people who have grown up to reject successive governments, it will be interesting today to see throngs turn out to welcome one of the political figures they have been psyched to hate.

Already the ground is buzzing with excitement as people sing welcome to Siaya Kababa – Karibu Dala! to President Ruto.