As President William Ruto winds up his four-day development tour of the Luo region, residents in Bondo and Rarieda Sub-Counties have expressed gratitude for what they describe as the President’s commitment to development and inclusivity across the country.
The residents say that through the development initiatives and government projects witnessed in the region, particularly in Siaya, they are witnessing a high level of government investment they have never seen before.
However, some residents have also issued their sincere apologies to the President over incidents of heckling and disruptions witnessed during his tour in the region, saying such behaviour does not represent the hospitality, dignity and respect they would want associated with the people of Siaya.
Led by Ambrose Nyawalo, a resident of Rarieda, they expressed their utmost disappointment with what they described as the conduct of some local political actors and their supporters, particularly where political differences manifested in public events attended by the Head of State.
“We are very grateful and thankful to the President for the development he brought to us. But we are sorry for the incidents of heckling which were seen at Kalandin. We are sorry and ask for forgiveness,” Nyawalo said.
His remarks followed an incident in which Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode, who has expressed interest in the Siaya gubernatorial race, was heckled as he attempted to address residents at President William Ruto watched.
For them, the issue is not upon one political leader or one political event.
They argue that public development functions should remain platforms for citizens to welcome government programmes and engage leaders peacefully, regardless of their political affiliations.
Awiti Komer, a representative of the Rarieda Sub-County Peace Committee, challenged politicians to draw a line between government development and individual political interests.
Komer said national government projects are public investments funded for the benefit of citizens and should therefore not be presented as the personal achievements of individual politicians.
“Developments are not for an individual. So when the President visits to launch a programme, we are happy. We will not listen to people who want to create chaos and disruptions for selfish gains in our constituency or in Siaya. We want a peaceful transition of power when that time comes,” he said.
For these residents, it is the time when political activity is increasingly becoming visible in Siaya, with leaders positioning themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle, and so calm and restraint should be embraced by everyone.
Youth representatives have also joined the call for political restraint.
Clinton Oyaya, the Siaya County Student Caucus leader, criticised what he described as political sideshows and urged leaders, particularly those associated with the Orange Democratic Movement, to focus on issues affecting ordinary citizens.
Oyaya also condemned heckling directed at political leaders, citing incidents involving Hon. Millie Odhiambo in Kisumu and George Okode at Kalandin.
“I want to condemn the kind of embarrassment that was meted out to Hon. Millie Odhiambo in Kisumu and Hon. George Okode in Kalandin. All these leaders are in ODM, and the party stands for democracy. How then can you deny someone the freedom to express themselves when you say you stand by the values of ODM?” Oyaya posed.
He further called for political leaders to reconsider their approach and place the interests of residents ahead of personal and factional differences.
“It is time the leaders reconsidered their stands. We must organise ourselves and stay strong as we walk towards the negotiation table with UDA,” he added.
As the President concludes his tour of the region, they say Siaya should be remembered not for heckling, political confrontation or division, but for its welcome, peace and appreciation of development.
They had one simple appeal: development should not become a battlefield for political rivalry.
