Leaders remain hopeful as Uhuru defers Nyanza trip

President Uhuru Kenyatta has quietly called off previously planned visits to Nyanza in what has left even his aides baffled.

The President and ODM leader Raila Odinga have enjoyed cordial relations since the March 9 handshake on the steps of Harambee House and it was seen as matter of time before he made the visit.

Leaders from the region have been left doing damage control as it emerges that the president is not travelling

It was expected that the President was to travel to Nyanza first accompanied by Mr Odinga and regional leaders before the duo make a similar trip to Mount Kenya region.

Sources indicated that the political dynamics in the country have made it hard for him to make the long awaited visit.

When the president makes the visit, he will not be accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto and a similar visit in central would be awkward without the DP in tow.

BUSY

The handshake between the president and Mr Odinga was received with a marked silence from central leaders, some who have been drumming up support for Mr Ruto.

It is understood that some handlers want a Nyanza trip quickly followed by another to Mt Kenya and in both instances, Mr Ruto should not be in the picture, a scenario the intelligence community is not comfortable with hence the President’s reluctance.

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and a confidant of Mr Odinga downplayed the postponed visits.

“The visit will happen in the fullness of time. The only issue is the president’s diary, he is a busy man. Don’t get distracted by theories on why he has not come,” he said.

The first postponement was on the weekend of March 24 in Migori.

When it was apparent that the Mr Kenyatta would not travel, it was left to Senator James Orengo and Rarieda MP Otiende Omollo to assure the public that the trip had been postponed.

SIAYA

The duo spoke at the burial of the High Court Judge Justice Louis Onguto, saying that the trip had been postponed to allow certain issues to be dealt with.

On August 8, the president had been scheduled to launch universal health coverage for Kisumu residents.

He was then to make a whirlwind tour of Siaya and Migori counties. It would have been Mr Kenyatta's first visit to Siaya County since he assumed office in 2013, the only county he is yet to visit.

The trip had been elaborately prepared, with top government officials touring Kisumu and hold preparatory meetings with local leaders.

Two weeks earlier, Deputy Governor Mathews Owili had confirmed the visit. Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, however, termed news of the visit as rumours.

Towards the end of August in a burial in Kisii, Mr Odinga told mourners that he and Mr Kenyatta would soon be making a joint tour of the region.

The tour would have included a tour at EABL new plant in Kisumu and it was to happen before the President left for US.

Observers are watching keenly the development, with some saying it might unsettle Jubilee if it happens.