Editor's Review

"If there is one thing that I learnt from Jakom, it is to remember places. He had a fantastic memory of where the roads lead."

President William Ruto has attributed his distribution of national development projects to the late Raila Odinga.

Speaking on Wednesday, October 7, Ruto explained that Raila challenged his government to ensure equitable and inclusive transformation across the country.

He intimated that Baba believed that no person and no region should be left behind; not because of where they live, their tribe or how they voted.

"Raila stated that the government must do this, not to be popular or win the next election, but because it is the right thing to do. I accept that challenge. I will carry it and promise to keep it alive.

"That is why our programmes reach every corner of our republic. Equity is not tokenism; it is justice," the President added.

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File image of President William Ruto and Mama Ida Odinga at the Raila Amolo Odinga Mausoleum

Ruto recounted that the departed former Prime Minister had planned to open up neglected regions of the country through development.

He committed to ensuring that dream came alive by launching development projects in marginalised areas such as Western and North Eastern Kenya. 

The Head of State noted that the dualling of the Ritoni-Mau Summit Highway and the SGR extension from Naivasha to Kisumu through Malaba would open up Western Kenya for more opportunities.

He added that his knowledge of Kenyan roads by heart was inspired by the late Odinga, who made a habit of understanding the country's road networks.

"If there is one thing that I learnt from Jakom, it  is to remember places. He had a fantastic memory of where the roads lead. He knew a road is not just tarmac but a gateway to the community," he added.

Ruto officially handed over the Raila Odinga Mausoleum to the Odinga Family. The  Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)-managed construction was completed in three months.

He remembered Raila as an extraordinary leader, a man of uncommon courage, a patriot, a Pan-Africanist and a statesman who gave his life to the pursuit of freedom, justice and a Kenya with plenty within its borders.