Deputy President William Ruto received a rousing welcome at the Kondele area in Kisumu when he made a stopover after the Madaraka Day celebration.
Ruto took the chance to meet Kisumu residents since he has not been engaged in a meet the people tour at the region for a while.
A video of residents chanting the DP’s name went viral on social media eliciting an online debate especially considering the region is primarily Raila Odinga’s political bedrock.
The development comes at a time Ruto is considered an outsider in government following Raila’s introduction into state affairs through the February 2018 handshake with Uhuru.
The video shows Ruto acknowledging the applouse from Kondele area residents who demanded he addresses theM.
It was initially believed Ruto would not be part of the Madaraka day celebration considering he has been missing in key state events.
However, his office later said that he would only attend the Madaraka Day celebrations and leave Kisumu since he was not invited to Uhuru’s launch of several projects in the region.
“He has been invited for the Madaraka Day celebrations and he will definitely go. For the other projects, he has not been invited. Those are different functions,” said Ruto’s communications director Emmanuel Talam.
Ruto arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in the company of his wife, and his other allies led by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria.
While addressing residents, DP Ruto lauded Uhuru for the projects they launched in the region.
“I want to laud the President’s two-days launch of various projects in this country. It is a testimony that there is a government that works and delivers. What you have done in this county is a confirmation that it is possible to develop Kenya equally and bring everybody on board,” Ruto said.
Additionally, Ruto promised more goodies other than infrastructural development.
“The next phase of development will give opportunities, create jobs and create wealth so that we can deal with the with the twin challenge of poverty and unemployment. So that the millions of young people across Kenya can have jobs, pay taxes, and Kenya can stand proud,” he said
The event was graced by Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimire, who was the chief guest.
