A section of senior government officials and regional elected leaders today converged in Migori County to rally the Nyanza region behind President William Ruto’s, declaring that the era of traditional political opposition is officially over.
While today’s event at Kasembo Primary School in Suna East constituency was billed as a women’s empowerment program, elected leaders ensured that hard-line party politics shared center stage with massive state development and policy announcements.
Speaking during a women’s empowerment event at Kasembo Primary School in Suna East constituency, the leaders emphasized that Nyanza’s inclusion in the current broad-based government has unlocked unprecedented economic and social transformations.
No opposition
Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga, who also serves as the ODM Party National Chairperson, made it clear that the region is strategically positioning itself within the government structure to ensure long-term development.
“As the ODM party, we have made a decisive resolution that we are not going back to the opposition,” Wanga stated adding that, “We have done opposition for 20 more than years, but every party is formed to seek power. We are already in government, and we cannot go backward.”
Homa Bay boss emphasized that Nyanza’s partnership with the national government gives the region a direct seat at the negotiating table, citing the appointment of key professionals to powerful cabinet dockets, including the National Treasury, Mining and Blue Economy, and leadership in crucial state agencies.
Treasury CS John Mbadi echoed these sentiments, stating that the region has a responsibility to back the current administration due to the tangible benefits already being felt on the ground.
“Since President Ruto took leadership, major things have happened in this region. We have no choice but to support William Ruto,” Mbadi stated.
Mbadi detailed specific road networks set for immediate construction and upgrades to end transport including,Mbita-Kiabu-Mfangano road,Kipasi-Nyamasare and Roads connecting major local institutions like Stella and Gogo
According to the Treasury CS, contractors have already been evaluated and dispatched to jumpstart the delayed works.
Internal wrangles
Despite the unified front presented on state development, the underlying local political battles did not miss the event.
A profound political undercurrent redrew the evening as local leaders split sharply over party loyalty and state-driven pragmatism ahead of upcoming general elections.
The widening rift was laid bare right on the school grounds, where ODM’s traditional dominance faced an underlying ideological challenge.
Defending the status quo, high-profile figures within the Orange party mounted an aggressive campaign to protect the legacy of opposition veteran Raila Odinga while navigating their new role in government.
Wajir County Governor Ahmed Abdullahi strongly rebuked those attempting to dismantle the party’s local standing from within.
Governor Abdullahi reminded the electorate that ODM’s institutional footprint stretches far beyond Nyanza, serving as a vital nationwide shield for pastoralist and minority communities alike.
He underscored his own two-term tenure in the North Eastern frontier as a testament to the party’s expansive, trans-regional reach, urging voters to remain fiercely loyal to the party hierarchy.
However, the narrative of absolute party fealty faced severe resistance from local leaders who argued that blind loyalty has historically starved the region of tangible economic growth.
Suna West MP and hopeful Migori gubernatorial aspirant Peter Masara openly broke ranks during the empowerment drive, declaring a total shift in alignment toward President William Ruto.
Masara argued that Nyanza “owes” a political debt to the President based on historical alliances dating back to 2017.
No more protests
Masara stated that the era of anti-government street protests is officially over further pointing that collaborating directly with the state is the only viable path to securing crucial public sector jobs, infrastructure development, and teacher recruitment for the county through affirmative action.
In his view, any political mobilization that does not directly yield development is now completely “null and void.”
Dr Omollo transitioned the conversation into major national policy shifts, delivering parts of his speech in the local language to connect directly with the community.
He highlighted that the national budget under President Ruto prioritizes education above almost all other sectors to uplift future generations. “The government has employed more than 100,000 teachers over the last three years to improve classroom quality and ensure children receive proper attention”. The PS stated
Consequently, Dr Omollo urged local parents and residents not to keep their children at home, emphasizing that the state has allocated sufficient funds to fully cater to their schooling needs.
On healthcare, the PS revealed that over 54 percent of residents in Migori County have already registered under the new Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the previous national healthcare framework.
He urged the remaining population to sign up immediately to ensure local hospitals remain well-stocked with medicine and properly staffed with healthcare workers.
Dr Omollo emphasized the importance of this shift, noting that the program ensures that when individuals or their loved ones fall ill, they will not have to rely on emergency fundraising appeals from leaders because the state system will take care of them.
The gathering brought together Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Energy and petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi,Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi (Chairperson of the Council of Governors), alongside Migori gubernatorial hopefuls Peter Masara and Mark Nyamita, Suna East Lawmaker Junet Mohamed among other leaders
