President William Ruto will embark on a two-day whirlwind tour of Migori County beginning today, marking the latest in a series of heightened visits to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s political strongholds.

Ahead of the visit, Ruto convened a strategic meeting at State House, Nairobi on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, with local political leaders to finalise logistics and project unveiling.

During the two-day visit, President Ruto is expected to commission a number of high-impact projects including the Stella–Gogo–Sibuoche tarmac road and a 200-unit affordable housing scheme in Uriri Constituency.

Ruto will begin his tour of Migori county by attending an interdenominational church service at Kadika Primary School on Sunday.

His itinerary will take him through Suna East, Suna West, Rongo, Uriri, and Awendo constituencies.

The visit marks Ruto’s fourth trip to the Luo Nyanza region since 2022, but unlike previous tours, this latest one comes under the banner of newfound cooperation between the President and longtime opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The tour follows the March 7, 2025, signing of a formal cooperation agreement between Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a pact that has significantly altered the political dynamics in a region long regarded as the bedrock of opposition politics.

Once considered hostile territory, Migori – and by extension the greater Nyanza region – is now being framed by the ruling coalition as a development partner.

Local MPs, including National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, have been actively involved in preparing for the visit, holding meetings to finalise the list of projects to be unveiled.

Between May 4 and 5, the president will tour Suna East, Suna West, Rongo, Uriri, and Awendo constituencies.

“We fully welcome the president, and we hope the visit will unlock key economic sectors in the county. As leaders from the region, we also want to make it clear that we are firmly behind President Ruto,” said Uriri MP Mark Nyamita.

In August last year, Ruto conducted an extensive development tour across all Luo Nyanza counties — Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, and Siaya — as his political cooperation with Raila blossomed.

Luo Nyanza has since become one of Ruto’s notable support bases, following his alliance with Raila, which began with the former prime minister’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.

Meanwhile, President William Ruto's administration recently announced an ambitious development blueprint for the Nyanza region with the aim of stimulating economic growth and infrastructural advancement.

The announcement, delivered by Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo in Rarieda, Siaya County, coincides with an escalating dispute between the national and county governments over the control of road maintenance funds. The development plan focuses on rectifying what Owalo describes as past marginalisation due to “bad politics.”

He emphasised the government's commitment to transformative projects aimed at unlocking economic opportunities and promoting regional integration.

A central component of the initiative is the proposed extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha through Kisumu, Asembo, Ugenya, and towards the Malaba border. This expansion is projected to enhance trade and connectivity, facilitating more efficient transportation of goods and people throughout the region. The SGR extension is seen as critical for integrating Nyanza into the national and regional trade networks, reducing transportation costs, and boosting economic activity.

Additionally, the government plans to revitalise the Kisumu International Airport, enhancing its capacity to enable direct export of regional commodities, particularly fish, to international markets. Upgrading air transport infrastructure is considered crucial for boosting commerce and integrating Nyanza into global supply chains. Enhanced export capabilities are expected to create new market opportunities for local producers and drive economic growth in the region.

Improvements to road networks within Nyanza are also part of the development agenda. The 19.34-kilometre Rusinga Ring Road, launched in August 2024 and slated for completion by July 2025, is expected to significantly improve transportation to Rusinga Island’s beaches and fishing areas, unlocking new economic and tourism prospects. This project is designed to enhance connectivity and accessibility, fostering economic growth in the region.

The unveiling of these development initiatives coincides with a growing dispute over the management of road maintenance funds, which has ignited tensions between county governments and President Ruto’s administration.

President Ruto has defended his administration’s push to manage road funding centrally, citing the need for efficiency and eliminating overlapping responsibilities. He pledges that the national government will ensure effective infrastructure development if entrusted with the resources. However, this proposal has been met with resistance from various governors, including Kisumu County leader Anyang’ Nyong’o, who view Ruto’s proposal as an attempt at a power grab. Governors argue that counties should retain control over road funds, given their direct involvement in construction and maintenance projects.