President William Ruto’s return to Kisumu this week marks one of the most symbolically charged political gestures of his presidency.
Coming just months after the death of Raila Odinga — the towering figure of Luo politics for over four decades — Ruto’s visit to the lakeside city is more than a development tour.
It is a calculated political move aimed at reshaping Kenya’s post-Raila political landscape and positioning himself as a unifying national figure capable of bridging long-standing ethnic and political divides.
The Symbolism of Kondele
Ruto’s stop in Kondele, a neighborhood that once epitomized resistance to his politics, carries deep symbolism.
During the 2022 campaign, his convoy was met with hostility there, reflecting the deep mistrust between him and Raila’s supporters. His return, this time as president, is a deliberate attempt to rewrite that narrative. Ruto is not only extending an olive branch but also testing whether the Luo electorate is ready to engage with him beyond historical loyalties.
Timing and Political Context
The Kisumu visit comes just days after Ruto’s high-profile tour of Mt. Kenya and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Delegates Conference held at State House. The sequencing is strategic.
Having reaffirmed his grip on the Mt. Kenya bloc, a region that has shown signs of political restlessness, Ruto is now turning westward to expand his coalition base. His 2027 re-election strategy, it seems, will not rely solely on traditional strongholds but on a broader, cross-ethnic appeal.
The timing also coincides with ODM’s internal turmoil. The party, long synonymous with Luo unity, is now split between two factions, one loyal to Raila’s long-time allies seeking to preserve his legacy, and another pushing for generational change and new alliances. Ruto’s overtures to Kisumu exploit this vacuum.
The ODM Alliance Angle
The head of state’s rhetoric while in Kisumu was notably conciliatory and hinted at working closely with ODM governors. Behind the scenes, his allies are reportedly courting moderate ODM figures to form a working alliance that could neutralize opposition influence in Nyanza.
Ruto’s broader political philosophy — co-opt rather than crush is offering the region development projects and political inclusion. This aims to erode ODM’s monopoly over Luo loyalty without provoking outright hostility.
The Battle for the Luo Vote
For decades, the Luo vote has been the bedrock of opposition politics. With Raila gone, the community faces a leadership crossroads. ODM’s internal divisions have left a vacuum that both Ruto and emerging opposition figures are eager to fill.
