President William Ruto is set to begin another development tour in opposition Chief Raila Odinga’s backyard of Nyanza region.

Ruto, who will be leading Madaraka Day celebrations at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay on Sunday, June 1, 2025, has planned to launch several projects in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties.

Initially, the President was scheduled to visit Migori on Thursday before moving to Homa Bay and Kisumu, but has now cancelled the Migori trip over political disagreement pitting area Governor Dr Ochillo Ayacko on one side and the other leaders on the other.

However, it has now emerged that a power struggle between Ayacko and the other elected leaders led to the cancellation of the tour in the county.  

Sources who confided in People Daily charged that when President Ruto visited Migori early this month, MCAs reportedly asked him to host them at State House for a consultative meeting.

The governor would later request the President to host all elected leaders from the region, which the Head of State agreed to.

Met President

The county boss, however, proceeded to have a meeting with the President last Wednesday without some of the elected leaders.

He is also being accused of not involving the elected leaders in the planning for the now-cancelled Thursday visit.

The sidelining saw a majority of the MPs from the county hold a meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, where they resolved to boycott the tour in protest, a move that forced the State House to alter the schedule by dropping Migori out of the schedule.

However, when contacted, the Governor dismissed the claims, saying that the cancellation was due to political interests from other counties who feel that the President has not launched projects in their areas.

“Other Counties like Kisumu felt that the President was in Migori just early this month. They also wanted the President to visit their area. As far as I am concerned, that is the reason,” Ayacko said.

Changed plan

State House, through the Head of the Presidential Communication Service, Munyori Buku, confirmed the change in the President’s plan.

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed (Suns East) also confirmed the change of schedule but did not provide details.

“The visit has been postponed because of engagements in Kisumu on the same day,” Junet said.

While in Kisumu County on Thursday, the President will visit Makasembo Housing and Otonglo Affordable Housing Project, Kisumu Town, then proceed to Homa Bay County, where he is expected to launch Gor Mahia Ring Road at Nagina, Homa Bay Town Constituency.

The Head of State is also expected to open Rangwe Sub-County Headquarters, Rangwe Constituency and visit Kosiga Dam, Rangwe Constituency, respectively.