Principal Secretary Cyrell Wagunda Odede has cautioned that massive turnouts of youths at political rallies will not automatically convert into votes unless they possess national identification cards and are duly registered as voters.
Speaking during a church service at Kindu SDA Church in North Sakwa Ward, Awendo Constituency in MigoriCounty, the PS for Public Investments and Asset Management urged young people to obtain their voter cards to support President William Ruto’s bid for a second term in the 2027 elections.
Odede, who hails from the region, highlighted what he described as unprecedented inclusion of the Luo community in the national government under President Ruto’s administration.
“Ruto has rewarded the Luos, and currently we have five Luo Principal Secretaries in Kenya, something that has never happened before,” he said.
He pointed to key dockets currently headed by individuals from the community, including the National Treasury (Public Investments and Assets Management), state Department for Trade, State Department for Children, State Department for Health and Medical Services, and the State Department for Interior are all headed by Luos.
Similarly he in ddition outline to the cabinet secretary position of Energy and Petroleum and the National Treasury dockets also headed by the Luo community.
The PS emphasised tangible development gains in Nyanza, noting that after 60 years of independence, some areas are now seeing tarmac roads for the first time, crediting the president’s focus on the region.
He also praised advancements in the health sector, citing the operationalisation of the Social Health Authority (SHA), and the visible rollout of affordable housing projects,initiatives that faced initial opposition but are now gaining traction with several projects underway.
Odede’s remarks come amid efforts by allies of the Kenya Kwanza administration to consolidate support in Western Kenya and Nyanza ahead of future polls, framing President Ruto’s leadership as inclusive and delivery-oriented for previously marginalised communities.
The event at the church underscored a blend of spiritual gathering and political mobilisation, with the PS calling on youths to actively participate in the electoral process to sustain the development momentum.
He stressed that without formal voter registration, enthusiastic crowds risk failing to influence electoral outcomes, urging immediate action to secure IDs and register.