Deputy President William Ruto seems very keen on wooing all regions in the nation to his side ahead of his 2022 presidential bid.
Consequently, he has been tirelessly making rounds across the country in line with the bid, though under the disguise of development.
The DP was this past week a guest of Luo Nyanza region twice, a region which is the backyard of his biggest nemesis opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The region doubles up as the place where Ruto enjoys the least backing.
And though he briefly visited Homabay on Sunday and Migori on Monday and Saturday, Ruto seems to have 'deliberately' avoided the remaining Siaya and Kisumu counties.
Unlike in Migori where he seems to have won the affection of area Governor Okoth Obado, Ruto has no reliable guides in Kisumu county, making it a tricky issue.
Being a high profile leader, Ruto should be received by a Governor, a risk first-term Governor Anyang' Nyong'o would be hesitant to take for fear of being associated with the DP and lose his seat in the next polls.
The county has also over the years stood out as a purely Odinga turf, this is contrary to Migori where Ruto's Jubilee Party is enjoying support on the Kuria side of the county.
This makes it very tricky for him to tour as though he has the right to tour every region, he has to retain his dignity and not be seen to be begging people who want nothing to do with him.
Also, the government whose past he is is yet to solve cases of mistreatment and police brutality against the area residents during the post 2017 presidential election demos could have played a role in the 'snubbing'.
And being a situation where some people were killed and others injured, touring the county would have placed him on a hot seat explaining.
Lastly, he knows that nothing he says or does will earn him the votes in the region unless he reaches out to Odinga.
Therefore, he would rather spend his time on more friendly areas and leave Kisumu for the future.
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