Deputy President William Ruto is known for his many cross-country tours and continuous weekend functions.
However, he has been seemingly avoiding the Luo Nyanza region and has instead been frequenting the neighbouring Western Kenya area.
It is very clear that though disguised as development and goodwill visits, Ruto is using the tours as a bait ahead of his 2022 general elections.
He is hoping to appeal to residents of the areas and turn that into votes.
But well aware that the region remains solidly behind opposition leader Raila Odinga who could again take another seat at the top post in 2022, he would better not waste his time and instead focus on places he is likely to succeed.
The other reason is most likely his unending rivalry with Raila.
Consequently, this has seen his allies fire unending and scathing shots at the former Premier, angering the region.
The DP is therefore afraid of possible retaliation from the region in case he visits.
He fears a situation where residents slip into restlessness and end up jeering and humiliating him as punishment.
He has been keenly choosing what functions to attend and the last time he was there was in January when he attended the ordination of Philip Anyolo as the new Catholic Diocese of Kisumu Archbishop.
He must have weighed the scenario and noticed that he was safe with Raila around since the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chief was also around.
Actually, the nation should look forward to close to no tours by Ruto in the region as President Uhuru Kenyatta is using his cabinet secretaries to lead his development agenda in the region.
And in 2022, he will only campaign in the region to avoid claims of discriminating it, though he is well aware that he will get close to nothing.
#hivisasaoriginal.