Deputy President William Ruto has canceled his trip which was slated for mid-July, HiviPunde can authoritatively reveal. This comes amid talk of a sharp division in the Nyanza Hustler Nation teams, led by Migori Governor Okoth Obado and former Raila Odinga aide Eliud Owalo.
Confirming the cancellation of the tour, Emmanuel Taalam, DP Ruto’s official spokesperson said there was no such tour planned by the deputy president to Kisumu or anywhere in Nyanza.
“I’m not aware of any planned Ruto visit to Nyanza. I don’t think anyone is playing politics with Covid-19. The pandemic is real,” he told a local publication on Wednesday.
According to an insider from Ruto’s camp, Migori Governor Okoth Obado asked the DP to postpone his tour to another day. His request is informed by the current Covid-19 situation in the Western Kenya region, especially Luo Nyanza. Advice the UDA leader took, even though it did not go down well with Dr. Owalo, who has been feeling the Migori governor is undermining his efforts in UDA.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Owalo dismissed Emannuel Taalam’s remarks, insisting the jaunt was on and they are ready to host Ruto plus his UDA battalion in Luo Nyanza next month.
”The trip is on based on my agreement with Ruto himself. He has not advised on the contrary. As we speak, intensive arrangements for his visit are ongoing in the four Luo Nyanza counties,” Dr. Owalo said.
