Nyanza leaders put aside their political differences to welcome President William Ruto in Homabay county as he began his two-day tour of the region.

Unlike when they snubbed Ruto’s visit to the area, the leaders united to give the President a rousing welcome as he landed in Homabay town, where he launched a series of projects and promised new ones to be commissioned soon.

President Ruto was joyous as Homabay county governor Gladys Wanga, Senator Moses Kajwang, Governor Ochillo Ayacko (Migori), and a host of MPs from Homabay, Migori, Kisumu counties lined up at Kabunde Airstrip to welcome him in his second visit since he ascended to power.

The leaders exhibited unity in diversity and were visibly happy as they hugged and shook hands at ease with the President trashing their initial political parallels to the dustbin.

The warm welcome perhaps electrified and motivated the President, who opened up his bag of goodies and promised a set of new projects to be initiated and implemented in the region that voted almost man to woman for the opposition.

Ruto said his administration will serve all Kenyans equally regardless of their political party or ethnic orientation.

President Ruto also promised to build new piers in Homabay, Kendu Bay and Mbita in new plans to promote the blue economy.

They will also build a Ksh345 million fish market in Homabay, complete with cold storage facilities.

He said the facility should be complete with a 12 km tarmac road around Homabay county and that by December this year, he would return to the County to commission the fish market.

He launched 5000 affordable housing projects in Homa Bay Town.

Ruto was accompanied by his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

Ruto promised that the housing project will be expanded to other townships such as Mbita, Oyugis, Sindo and Kendu Bay.

He said the time for politicking has passed, and it is an opportunity to develop all regions in the Country.

“We are committed to developing our County,and in our program for the Country, be assured that Homa Bay is inside,” he said.

“I am aware that Homa Bay County only gave me one percent of the votes despite the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga getting 28 and 25 percent both my Rift Valley backyard and the Central region. You guys owe me a debt,” said the President.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, her deputy Oyugi Magwanga, Senator Kajwang, and Woman representative Joyce Osogo were some leaders who attended the event.

Others were Suba South MP Carolly Omondi, Suba North legislator Millie Odhiambo, Lilian Gogo of Kabondo Kasipul, Ong’ondo Were(Kasipul) former Kabondo Kasipul MP Sylvance Osele, former Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo, ICT CS Eliud Owalo and Internal security PS Dr. Raymond Omollo were also present.

The President promised to revive the Homa Bay main Pier and Oyugis and Mbita piers to promote local transportation in the County.

He also promised that the National Government will construct a modern market in Shauri Yako slums to the tune of Ksh345 million before the end of the year.

Ruto further promised that the National government will allocate Ksh1 billion to sort out the water issue within the County.

All the roads which have stalled within Homa Bay will be completed, as directed by the Head of state.

He urged the local farmers to register in the ongoing farmers’ registration to benefit from the subsidized fertilizers and seeds from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Ruto, at the same time, said that his government will avail 2 million tree seedlings in addition to another 2 million others from the County Government for the locals to plant to improve the forest cover in Homa Bay, saying the County only has one percent of the forest cover and there is a need to improve on it.

During the visit, the President toured Tom Mboya University, launched Homa Bay’s main modern market, and also visited the main Pier before launching the affordable housing project.