Raila, Ruto renew rivalry in Western tour

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto at a past function. The duo head to Western Province this weekend in what is turning out to be a scramble for the region’s support by Jubilee and Cord. PHOTO/ FILE 

In Summary

• Mr Odinga is expected to lead dozens of Cord MPs to Butere constituency for the homecoming party of area MP Andrew Toboso Saturday.

By PETER LEFTIE
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Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga head to Western Province this weekend in what is turning out to be a scramble for the region’s support by Jubilee and Cord.

 Even though both the Deputy President and the former PM will be in the province to attend the homecoming parties of local MPs, insiders revealed a high stakes political contest pitting Mr Odinga against the Jubilee leaders.

Mr Odinga is expected to lead dozens of Cord MPs to Butere constituency for the homecoming party of area MP Andrew Toboso Saturday.

Mr Ruto will on the other hand be at the homecoming parties of Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe and his Malava counterpart Moses Malulu Injendi Sunday.

A statement from Orange House in Nairobi stated that Mr Odinga will attend the function at Butere Girls High School.

It added that the former PM will tomorrow tour Trans Nzoia County where he will attend a prayer meeting in Cherengany constituency. Mr Toboso confirmed that the former PM will be with over 50 MPs to his constituency for the party.

“I will be hosting the former Prime Minister this Saturday. He will be coming with over 50 MPs,” he stated.

Mr Wangwe also confirmed that Mr Ruto would attend his and Mr Injendi’s parties on Sunday. He said the function, initially scheduled for today, had been pushed to tomorrow at Mr Ruto’s request.

“The Deputy President has confirmed he will be in attendance. He has also requested that we move the function from Saturday to Sunday because he will be held up on Saturday. Fifteen MPs have so far confirmed they will attend,” Mr Wangwe told Nation.

Mr Ruto is expected to use the visit to hand over a Sh150 million cheque to Butali Sugar Company for the construction of roads and bridges in the two constituencies.

The funds are drawn from the Sugar Development Levy to support infrastructure in sugarcane growing areas in Western. This follows a meeting last week between the Kenya Sugar Board and local leaders led by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.

“The Kenya Sugar Board has agreed to release Sh150 million to go towards the construction of roads and bridges. I think that is the cheque he will be handing over,” Dr Khalwale said.

Mr Ruto is also expected to announce the government’s development plans for the region which overwhelmingly voted for ODM and Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani coalition.

The plans include tarmacking of Turbo-Sikhendu road, the road linking Kakamega and Bungoma towns through Navakholo and the Sigalagala-Butere roads.
 
Spearheading campaign

Lugari MP Savula and his Mumias Central counterpart Benjamin Washiali are reported to be spearheading the campaign to rally newly-elected MPs from Western to work with the government.

Mr Injendi and Mr Wangwe have defended their move to invite Mr Ruto to their homecoming parties, saying they were keen to work with the government.

“Our decision to invite the Deputy President is meant to give him an opportunity to see for himself what our development priorities are,” said Mr Injendi.

It will be the first time that the top Jubilee leadership will be visiting Kakamega county in over one year. Neither Mr Ruto nor Mr Kenyatta campaigned in the province.