Africa-Press – Kenya. Retired Kisii Governor James Ongwae has warned of schemes by some politicians to stage rallies in an attempt to delay President William Ruto’s visit to the region.
The former governor, instead, urged Kisii leaders to shun politicians he said are hell-bent on painting the community as rebellious against President Ruto.
Ongwae regretted that the same leaders planning protests and rallies in Kisii had organised their regions to warmly receive the president and even benefitted from his ‘generosity’.
“I plead with our leaders not to accept any shenanigans that are meant to paint our region as rebellious and disadvantage it from the much planned development projects by President Ruto,” Ongwae said.
Ongwae challenged the unnamed leaders organising rallies in Kisii to also allow the community to benefit from national government development initiates just like their regions had done.
“Previously and in the last few months, president Ruto has visited various regions and initiated several development projects, lately being a visit to Luo Nyanza, and in some instances some of us were present and we witnessed the president’s generosity,” Ongwae said.
“In the same spirit, we welcome the president to our Gusii region and condemn any attempts to cause uneasiness and whip emotions of our people with the aim of imagining that they can delay the visit.”
Without naming names, the retired governor took a swipe at opposition leader Raila Odinga’s Azimio coalition which has launched an aggressive anti-Ruto campaign.
The coalition is planning a major rally in Kisii this week as Raila scales up his resistance against President Ruto.
Ongwae said it was unfortunate that those calling for rallies in the region have already enjoyed the president’s goodies during his recent visit.
“The people spearheading the chaos have in the past encouraged and organised their people to receive the president in their regions in an organised manner,” he said at a press briefing in Kisii town.
“The president has therefore left a lot of goodies in their regions not to mention the projects he has initiated.”
The ex-governor said Kisii and Nyamira counties have already warmed up to President Ruto and any attempt to the contrary will not be ‘tolerated’
He said the two counties are keen on development and peace given that it has a huge population in the diaspora and a high rate of diminishing land back home.
“ I join other welcome the president to Kisii and Nyamira regions when he deems it necessary to visit, commission and launch various projects in our region,” he said.
“We anticipate much of this visit.”
Ongwae asked leaders planning rallies against the government to realise that the time of politics is over and that Kenyans are yearning for development.
“For those planning orchestrated rallies across the country and want to do the same in Kisii, I urge you to reconsider your moves, accept that the time for politicking is over and give the President an opportunity to fulfil contract with Kenyans,” he said.
The President is expected to tour Kisii and Nyamira counties this month to launch development projects and also attend a thanksgiving service for Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.
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