Ruto In Mission To Woo Raila With 10 Projects In Nyanza
This is according to Deputy Chief of Staff for Performance and Delivery Management, Eliud Owalo, who revealed particulars of the projects the government aims to implement in Nyanza before President Ruto's term ends.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
In a bid to solidify ties with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, despite his failed bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, President William Ruto is committing to complete 10 key projects in the Nyanza region in adherence to the broad-based government.
This is according to Deputy Chief of Staff for Performance and Delivery Management, Eliud Owalo, who revealed particulars of the projects the government aims to implement in Nyanza before President Ruto's term ends.
According to the Nyanza Development Agenda document released in February, Ruto is prioritizing the construction and completion of road projects in the region. Among the most significant is the 478-kilometer Lake Region Ring Road, designed to connect counties surrounding Lake Victoria.
Additionally, to improve water access in the lake region, the government plans to construct the Koru-Soin Dam and Magwagwa Dam.
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at State House Mombasa on Monday, February 24, 2025. /PCS
The government also aims to boost the region's economic activity by reviving industries that once thrived, including sugar factories and cotton processing plants. Recognizing the area's strong fishing industry, the Ruto administration plans to establish a fish processing plant.
Furthermore, a potato processing plant will be set up in Kuria, while Kisii County will see the construction of a soapstone factory.
Owalo also emphasized the government's focus on the mining sector, given the presence of valuable mineral deposits, such as gold in parts of Siaya and Migori counties. On top of this, the government is committed to improving electricity connectivity across the region.
"Electricity penetration is one great indicator of the frequency of blackouts and how long it takes for power to come back at great variance with other privileged regions. The household-to-electricity ratio in the area was generally 20%," read the statement in part.
"The President last year initiated two ambitious projects to give residents electricity, one was the Gogo electricity production and the other was directly connecting Homabay and Migori with the Sondu Odino-generated electricity."
The projects signal a fresh attempt to cement the partnership between Ruto and Raila, once political rivals in the period leading up to the 2027 general elections, in the broad-based government that is facing serious criticism from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka among others.
ODM has already secured cabinet positions following the formation of a broad-based government after the Gen Z protests.
On Monday, February 25, President Ruto met with Odinga in Mombasa, where he stated that they had agreed to collaborate. Reports suggest that ODM and UDA have finalized a coalition agreement, with Odinga indicating that he will announce the next steps in the coming days.
