Deputy President William Ruto is mid this week expected to tour Marani in Kisii County days after over a hundred of his main supporters from the region ditched his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Two weeks ago, Odinga received over 100 UDA supporters led by Samuel Omwando who had already earned himself a pivotal role in Ruto’s camp ahead of the 2022 General elections.

Until his move to rejoin Odinga’s team after months of working with Ruto, Omwando in 2017 served as ODM chairman in Kisii County.

Until mid this year, Omwando was also the UDA coordinator in Kisii County.
Mid this week, Kisii County Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, told a local newspaper that he was contemplating sticking to ODM the party that sponsored his joint candidature with Governor James Ongwae in the 2017 General Elections.

His tour in Marani is seen as a move aimed at luring ODM supporters as it his home to Governor Ongwae who is Odinga’s point man in Gusii region.

Equally, there are cracks within the ODM party in Kisii County following a fall out between Ongwae and Dagoretti North Member of Parliament (MP) Simba Arati.

Both Arati who is eyeing the county’s Governorship seat and Ongwae are leading two factions of ODM party in Kisii

Ongwae who is supporting Prof Sam Ongeri to take over the county’s leadership equally has Maangi and Kisii Woman Representative Janet Ong’era in his camp.

On the other wing, Arati who has in the recent past verbally attacked Ongwae is working with Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament Richard Onyonka who is eyeing the county’s Senatorial seat.

On Friday, December 3- Arati met a number of women from Kisii County where he asked Governor Ongwae to retire honorably since he had served two terms.

“I would like to ask Governor Ongwae to prepare his team well as I also do so, when the time comes, the people will decide who will be their leader and if I am beaten I will accept,” he said.

DP Ruto has been visiting Gusii region; both Kisii and Nyamira Counties which are believed to be swing vote areas.

On Saturday, December 4- several political leaders allied to Ruto camped at Marani as they asked the voters to receive him in their numbers.

Speaking to People Daily Digital, Gusii Region United Democratic Alliance (UDA) coordinator Japheth Nyakundi said that all was set to receive the Deputy President.

“Everything is set and we are expecting to see several people join DP Ruto’s rally in Marani,” Nyakundi who is also eyeing the Kitutu Chache North parliamentary seat said.

He also said that the visit to Marani was after locals requested that Ruto tours the area.

According to Nyakundi, DP Ruto is expected to meet youth, women and men from the region where he will take time to explain about his bottom-up economy plan.

Leaders expected to join Ruto in the tour include; Youth Coordinator in the office of the DP Anthony Kibagendi, South Mugirango Member of Parliament Sylvanus Osoro, West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi and Esther Okenyuri (DP’s office).