Ruto Courts Gusii Voters with Development Projects, Alliances Ahead of 2027

Nairobi, Kenya — 2025-09-15 17:20 EAT. President William Ruto has stepped up political outreach to the Gusii community as he seeks to lock in support from Kisii and Nyamira counties, which together boast 960,000 registered voters, ahead of the 2027 general election

The Latest

• Billions allocated: The government has rolled out housing projects, new markets, and electricity connections in the Gusii region as part of its voter outreach

• Political calculus: Analysts say Ruto is pivoting to western Kenya after losing traction in Mt Kenya, once his key support base

High-Profile Meetings

• Ruto hosted a Gusii delegation at State House Nairobi attended by:

  • Opposition leader Raila Odinga

  • Kisii Governor Simba Arati

  • Education CS Migos Ogamba

  • Solicitor-General Shadrack Mose

Observers note Odinga’s presence signals an attempt to neutralise Fred Matiang’i’s influence, with both Ruto and Odinga wary of a coalition aligned with the former Interior CS

Ground Operations

• Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has been dispatched to Nyamira County to engage the United Progressive Alliance on strategy and alliances

• Analysts say this shows the Gusii region is now a political battleground central to 2027 election planning.

Implications

• Vote arithmetic: Gusii counties could swing the election if Mt Kenya support remains fractured.

• Development pledges: Billions in infrastructure projects signal a policy–politics nexus as elections near.

• Political alliances: Ruto, Odinga, and Matiang’i camps may soon compete for the same voter bloc.

What to Watch

• Whether Matiang’i responds with his own coalition-building efforts.

• Implementation of housing and infrastructure promises ahead of 2027.

• Further alliances between national leaders and Gusii county politicians.