A grand reception awaits President William Ruto this week as he tours the Nyanza region. The tour commences on Wednesday.

The visit which comes weeks after the President formed a broad-based government has been roundly welcomed by area MPs, Senators, MCAs and religious elites and scholars. They congratulated Ruto for appointing leaders from the lakeside region to join his broad-based government terming it good for the community.

Many said they looked forward to working with President Ruto’s administration in his bid to ensure unity, diversity and inclusion of all Kenyans in government. This will be Ruto’s most momentous trip to Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s stronghold after years of political hostilities that saw the president largely unwelcome in the region. Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang yesterday told People Daily, that the President was highly welcome to visit Nyanza at will and that they owe him a debt of gratitude.

“As a community, we say thank you to the President for his latest overtures to Nyanza and we want assure him of our steadfast support,” Kajwang said while in Kisumu.

Similar statements were made by Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o, Migori governor Ochillo Ayacko and Homa Bay’s Gladys Wanga. “Migori looks forward to working with your administration to promote sound and steady development in this region,” said Ayacko.

“Nyanza begins a new journey this week and, of course, a new chapter in politics and development of fresh relations with the State begins as well,” said Wanga.