He made the appeal during the launch of rural electrification projects at Kagito in Uriri Constituency, Migori County, on November 21, 2025.
Wandayi, who has become one of the strongest voices from the ODM wing working within the broad-based government, told residents that the time had come for Nyanza to “return a political favour” to President Ruto.
He said that although the region did not vote for Ruto in 2022, there was now a good reason to change direction in the next election.
The CS asked the residents to unite behind President Ruto and give him full support when the country goes to the polls.
According to Wandayi, voting for Ruto would be a way of acknowledging the political friendship the President showed to ODM leader Raila Odinga many years ago.
“You understand that we did not vote for President Ruto’s government, but this time we must put all our votes together and vote for President Ruto,” Wandayi told the crowd.
Wandayi reminded the residents of the events leading to the 2007 general elections, when Raila Odinga ran for president. He explained that William Ruto was one of Raila’s strongest supporters during that period.
According to the CS, Ruto’s decision to stand with Raila at that time put him at great political and personal risk.
He went further to say that Ruto’s support for ODM and Raila contributed to the political tensions that later led to Ruto’s case at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Wandayi insisted that the Luo community should acknowledge that sacrifice.
“In 2007, when Raila Odinga was campaigning for the presidency, President Ruto stood firmly with Raila. That is even the reason why Ruto was taken to The Hague because of ODM, Odinga, and because of we the Luo community. So we have a debt to repay William Ruto,” he said.
The CS encouraged the Nyanza region not to isolate itself politically. He said that becoming part of President Ruto’s voting bloc would bring benefits and create a positive working relationship with the national government.
Wandayi noted that rural electrification projects and other development programmes were already reaching Migori County, and more could come if the region supports the President in 2027.
He added that unity and cooperation with the government would open the door for long-term development in areas such as roads, power distribution, agriculture, and youth opportunities.
The CS also said that political divisions were no longer useful and that Nyanza should not remain outside government for another decade.
He asked residents to look at current realities instead of old political battles.
Wandayi is one of several ODM leaders who have been encouraging the party to support President Ruto’s re-election bid.
As an ODM expert in the broad-based government, he has been working closely with the President on energy matters and rural projects.
His latest remarks show the growing debate inside ODM, where some leaders believe the party should cooperate more openly with Ruto ahead of the 2027 polls.
Others, however, feel that ODM should maintain its independence and wait for direction from Raila Odinga.
Wandayi’s message is likely to spark wide discussion across Nyanza. The idea of “repaying a political debt” to President Ruto is a new argument that has not been strongly pushed before.
Whether the region accepts this message remains to be seen, but his comments highlight a major shift in Kenya’s political landscape as the 2027 election draws closer.
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Politics