By L, KNA
Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has paid tribute to the late Raila Odinga, describing him as a visionary leader and true patriot who believed deeply in Kenya’s unity and progress through devolution.
In a statement, Ruto said Raila, who was laid to rest at his home in Bondo last Sunday after succumbing to illness in India, was an accomplished politician who rose above tribal politics in his pursuit of African nationalism and Pan-African ideals.
“There was never a time Raila said, ‘we the people from Nyanza,’ or ‘we the Luo,’” Ruto recalled. “When you listened to him, you would hear him say, ‘We Kenyans’ or ‘We the people of Africa.’ That showed his commitment to national unity.”
The former governor noted that Raila’s leadership style stood out from many of his peers, describing him as an intellectually progressive leader whose focus went beyond local development projects to broader ideological and governance issues.
“He had an intellectual direction anchored on ideology, and that is where I found myself on the same page with him as a leader,” Ruto said.
He commended President William Ruto for honouring Raila with a hero’s sendoff, a state funeral, and a posthumous Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (CGH) commendation, saying it was a fitting recognition of his service to the nation.
Turning to devolution, Ruto, who once chaired the Council of Governors (CoG), praised Raila as one of the strongest champions of the devolved system of government. He credited Raila’s advocacy for ensuring that county governments could deliver essential services and development at the grassroots.
“Raila cherished devolution, which has seen many projects initiated and accomplished across the counties,” he said.
As Bomet’s first governor, Ruto recalled the challenges that accompanied the early stages of devolution, including limited budgets, lack of offices, and resistance from national government structures.
“In 2013, when we were elected as the first governors, we began functioning without a budget or proper offices,” he recounted. “The Transitional Authority at that time made it difficult for counties to operate effectively.”
He added that initial resistance from county councils and municipalities delayed the transfer of devolved functions, but the constitutional framework eventually clarified responsibilities in key sectors such as healthcare and agriculture.
Ruto concluded that Raila’s steadfast support for devolution demonstrated his belief in empowering local governments and transforming governance from the grassroots up.