Leaders from Gusii nation led by retired Kisii Governor James Ongwae have warned Raila Odinga over what they termed as a scheme to delay president Ruto’s visit to Kisii.

The former governor, instead, urged Kisii leaders to shun politicians he said are hell-bent on painting the community as rebellious against President Ruto.

Ongwae regretted that the same leaders planning protests and rallies in Kisii had organised their regions to warmly receive the president and even benefitted from his ‘generosity’.

“I plead with our leaders not to accept any shenanigans that are meant to paint our region as rebellious and disadvantage it from the much planned development projects by President Ruto,” Ongwae said.

The former governor had been Raila Odinga’s ally and pointman in the Gusii region untill recently when he defected to Dr Ruto’s side. He pointed out the Azimio leader’s hypocrisy saying that Raila allowed Ruto to tour Luo Nyanza and give out goodies but he is now planning to scuttle the president’s tour to Kisii.

“Previously and in the last few months, president Ruto has visited various regions and initiated several development projects, lately being a visit to Luo Nyanza, and in some instances some of us were present and we witnessed the president’s generosity,” Ongwae said.

“In the same spirit, we welcome the president to our Gusii region and condemn any attempts to cause uneasiness and whip emotions of our people with the aim of imagining that they can delay the visit.”

This comes at a time when the Azimio coalition is planning a major rally in Kisii this week as Raila scales up his resistance against President Ruto.

The ex-governor said Kisii and Nyamira counties have already warmed up to President Ruto and recognize him as president. He said that they will work with the president to bring development in Gusii region

He said the two counties are keen on development and peace given that it has a huge population in the diaspora and a high rate of diminishing land back home.

The President is expected to tour Kisii and Nyamira counties this month to launch development projects and also attend a thanksgiving service for Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.