“Ruto is the Acting Luo Kingpin” – Says Raila’s Loyalist

As the scramble for Nyanza’s kingship intensifies following the vacuum left by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga after his untimely death, one of his loyal supporters, Gaucho, has spoken out about who he considers the acting Luo Kingpin.

While speaking in an interview with The People’s Bench on October 21, Gaucho, whose real name is Calvince Okoth, claimed that President William Ruto is now the acting leader of the Luo-Nyanza region.

The outspoken President of Bunge la Mwananchi further emphasized that residents from the region no longer listen to their current leaders, hence Ruto assuming the kingship role for now. Gaucho went on to note that the late ODM boss, Raila Odinga, left his supporters within President Ruto’s government, leaving little doubt that Ruto is now regarded as their leader.

“Baba (Raila Odinga) alituacha katika serikali ya Rais William Ruto. Mtu ambaye sasa anaonekana kama kiongozi wetu ni William Ruto, kwa sababu wale viongozi wengine wa Nyanza hakuna hata mmoja ambaye tunaweza kusikiliza maoni yake. (Raila Odinga left us in President William Ruto’s government. The person who now acts as our Kingpin is Ruto, because none of the other Nyanza leaders are people whose opinions we can listen to) .” Gaucho said.

Gaucho’s remarks come at a time when leaders from the Luo-Nyanza region are eyeing the chance to succeed the late Prime Minister. Although Odinga’s shoes will be difficult to fill, some of the politicians expected to inherit the late ODM boss’s mantle include youthful lawmaker Babu Owino, Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, among others.

Raila Odinga’s elder brother, Oburu Odinga, is currently serving as the acting ODM party leader. Earlier this year, the party under Raila’s leadership agreed to work with President William Ruto’s UDA, and it is expected to announce the way forward regarding its leadership in the near future.

The post “Ruto is the Acting Luo Kingpin” – Says Raila’s Loyalist appeared first on Times Digital Kenya.