Showdown Looms in Kakamega Ahead of Ruto's Visit

A potential showdown is on the horizon in Western Kenya as President William Ruto prepares to make an appearance in Kakamega County on Sunday for a Thanksgiving service. 

It appears that members of the Kenya Kwanza coalition are in disagreement about the details of the visit and which political party will manage the event. It is anticipated that the President will be attending a prayer meeting at Milimani Church in Navakholo Constituency, of ODM MP Emmanuel Wangwe. Reportedly, bigwigs from the United Democratic Party Alliance from Western Kenya are at odds with their Kenya Kwanza counterparts in Ford Kenya and Amani National Congress. 

National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang'ula is the leader of Ford Kenya, while ANC is under Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. The two outfits are set to host President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday in their perceived backyards. However, it is feared that the ongoing political wrangles and territorial disputes could lead to a clash at the President's Sunday rally in Mumias. An attempt to reach an agreement between the regional leaders on the management of the programme on Friday and Saturday, however, did not produce a definite outcome.

Leaders from the UDA party, such as Secretary General Cleopas Malala, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, former CS Rashid Echesa, as well as Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale and former Mumias MP Benjamin Washiali, are said to be the head honchos in arranging the program. However, their Ford Kenya and ANC counterparts are dissatisfied, claiming that they deserve a greater leeway to call the shots in the region's political landscape.  An insider familiar with the feud explained on Saturday that this is just a typical disagreement between the partners.

''Nothing much, yes there could be concerns but I can assure you that the President's itinerary has been agreed among all leaders from the region,'' said a top politician involved in the planning.