William Ruto Set To Begin 4-Day Tour Of Nyanza Region After Launching Raila's AUC Bid Campaign

• President William Ruto will visit the Nyanza region for four days after forming a broad-based government
• Homa Bay woman representative Joyce Osogo Bensouda has urged him to fulfil his promise on the two-thirds gender rule
• Moreover, she urged the president to address infrastructure issues in primary schools, particularly regarding electricity

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

President William Ruto is set to embark on a four-day tour of the Nyanza region starting Wednesday, August 28.

This visit follows the launch of Raila Odinga's campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, attended by several East African Community leaders.

Since the formation of a broad-based government, which saw four opposition leaders join Ruto's Cabinet, Nyanza residents have voiced concerns about stalled projects initiated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. They are calling on Ruto to provide updates on these projects.

Bensouda issues demands to William Ruto

Ahead of the tour, Homa Bay woman representative Joyce Osogo Bensouda has issued several demands to the president.

Bensouda has called for the recognition of women's leadership following a KSh 300 million cut from their budget due to the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 and the subsequent austerity measures.

She also stressed the need for increased funding for sanitary towels.

"We want women to feel the two-third gender rule which you promised will be realised in your tenure. When you come to Nyanza, what is it for the women? They want markets to be built for them, and Pala Market is one of them. That is my request.

"I want the KSh 900 million on sanitary towels to be a reality, not a song. And I would want the National Treasury to disburse this fund in good time because menstrual flow does not wait for ex-chequer, it is constant," she stated.

How Ruto should address education issues, Bensouda

Additionally, the fierce woman representative urged President Ruto to address infrastructure issues in primary schools, particularly regarding electricity.

She highlighted that the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) requires significant digital resources for optimal student performance. According to Bensouda, consolidating all education funds into a single pool increases the risk of corruption.

"Let the MCAs deal with polytechnics, woman representatives deal with day scholars and people with disabilities, and MPs look into boarding schools within their constituencies. And let their various population be mapped out. Give us all the funding. Make education free so that we can realise our vision 2030," she explained.

Which projects will Ruto launch in Nyanza?

According to a statement from State House, President Ruto's tour will start in Migori county, where he is set to launch the Kegonga Cluster Water Project in Kuria East.

He will also inspect the Lower Kuja Irrigation Project and commission the long-delayed Migori-Muhuru and Masara-Sori main roads, which have been stalled for approximately three years.

In Homa Bay, Ruto is scheduled to commission the Oyugis Water Project, inspect the Homa Bay Fish Market at Koginga Beach, and initiate the construction of the Rusinga Ring Road.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke