President William Ruto with Ukambani leaders when he recently visited Konza Technocity on October 13, 2025. Photo by PCS 
By Andrew Mbuva
President William Ruto’s highly anticipated tour of the Ukambani region has been put on hold following the sudden death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga — a move that has left residents and local leaders deeply disappointed.
The President was scheduled to begin his official visit on Tuesday, with the launch of several key development projects, starting with the commissioning of the Mwala–Kangundo road in Machakos County. However, plans were shelved immediately after news broke of the former Prime Minister’s passing.
Lawmakers allied to the President, who had already gathered in Kangundo to prepare for his arrival, were left heartbroken. They instead held a brief meeting with residents — not to discuss politics, but to share in the nation’s grief.
“We have postponed all the activities that were to be led by the President to allow him and the country to give Raila Odinga a befitting send-off,” said Vincent Musyoka, Mwala MP and UDA Secretary-General. “The death of Raila leaves a big void in our country. He was a special leader who transcended generations and fought for the democracy we enjoy today.”
Musyoka added that while the official launch of the road project will be rescheduled, construction work will continue uninterrupted.
“The contractors are already on site. They will not leave but continue with the work so that when we come back to launch, we find that progress has already been made,” he said.
Other leaders from the region also paid glowing tribute to the late opposition leader, describing him as a patriot and a pillar of Kenya’s democracy.
Rachael Nyamai, the Kitui South MP, said the country had lost a statesman who consistently placed national interest above personal gain.
“We are praying for Raila Odinga’s family. His death is not only a blow to them but to the entire nation and beyond. Every time things seemed to be going wrong, Raila would remind us that the country is bigger than anyone,” Nyamai said.
Fabian Kyule Mule, the Kangundo MP, reflected on Raila’s enduring impact, saying he was a political icon whose name will forever be etched in Kenya’s history.
“Raila marks history. He is the only man I have read about since primary school as a fighter for this nation. I doubt we shall ever see another like him,” Mule said.
Charles Nguna, the Mwingi West MP, hailed Raila as a champion of devolution and a democrat whose legacy will outlive him.
“Raila will be remembered as one of the most patriotic leaders this country has ever had — a man who fought tirelessly for freedom and equality. We have lost big as a country,” Nguna said.
Meanwhile, residents of Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni counties have expressed both sorrow and disappointment — sorrow for the loss of a national hero and disappointment that the President’s visit, which they hoped would usher in new development projects, had to be halted.
