President William Ruto honored the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Kisumu, committing to uphold and enhance the political and developmental legacy of the former ODM leader, whose influence profoundly shaped the region.
During a church service at the Voice of Salvation and Healing Church in Kisumu, Ruto characterized Raila as a nationalist and statesman whose political vision extended beyond ethnic and regional boundaries. He emphasized that Raila’s legacy should guide Kenya’s future development.
Ruto highlighted three specific areas where he believed Raila would take pride in the advancements made, particularly in the Standard Gauge Railway, job creation through the affordable housing program, and the preservation of his national legacy.
Reflecting on the railway project, Ruto noted that Raila had championed the SGR as a key initiative envisioned during their time in ODM. “I can proudly state that, as part of his legacy, the Standard Gauge Railway has commenced operations from Narok and Kisumu. We are progressively realizing one of the signature pillars that the Honorable Raila Odinga would have envisioned,” he affirmed.
Linking the Government’s affordable housing initiative to Raila’s earlier advocacy for slum upgrading, Ruto remarked that both shared a vision of leveraging housing to generate employment. “He is the father of housing, having initiated slum upgrading under the NARC administration,” Ruto noted, asserting that the Government continues to advance that vision, making housing a cornerstone of national development.
Beyond specific initiatives, Ruto underscored Raila’s broader national perspective. He stated that Raila “was never a sectionalist” and “never endorsed tribal politics.” Ruto portrayed him as a nationalist and statesman who built a national party and pursued a unified agenda. “This is part of what we inherit and will carry forward,” he asserted.
The President acknowledged the challenge of filling the political void left by Raila, urging against attempts to replace him. Instead, he called for collective efforts to preserve Raila’s ideals. “It may not be possible to replace the Honorable Raila Odinga, and no one should try,” he emphasized. “However, we can collaborate to ensure that his beliefs and legacy endure, guiding the future development of our nation,” he added.
Ruto’s commitment carries significant political weight in Kisumu, a region that has been the foundation of Raila’s career and remains a stronghold for his party, ODM. He conveyed that his presence in Kisumu aimed to reassure the community of his intention to work alongside its leaders and residents, describing himself as a student of Raila and pledging a collaborative journey ahead.
He characterized the relationship between Raila’s ODM and his UDA party as one of partnership rather than rivalry within the framework of a broad-based government. “Chama cha ODM na chama cha UDA, they are not competitors. They are partners in the broad-based government,” Ruto stated confidently.
He committed to ensuring that Raila’s legacy, his party, and his values persist as both sides unite to build a stronger Kenya. The President made these remarks as he embarked on a weeklong development tour to engage with the people of the Nyanza region.
