KISUMU, 26th June 2026 –Political leaders from the United Democratic Party (UDA) in the Nyanza region have lauded residents for abstaining from street demonstrations during the commemoration of the 2024 Gen Z protests, opting instead for civic engagement and structured dialogue with the government.
The region, historically known for its fiery political activism, witnessed a departure from the violent protests that have previously characterized such anniversaries.
Instead, residents in Kisumu, Siaya, Homabay, and Migori counties participated in enhanced voter registration and national ID card drives, a move that local leaders say signals a new era of political maturity.
Aggrey Otore, the UDA Regional Coordinator for Nyanza, described the decision as a pragmatic shift from decades of unproductive agitation. He asserted that the community’s historical reliance on street violence has failed to yield tangible dividends, often culminating in tragedy.
“Our community has spent over 50 years in activism and street agitations, something that has not yielded much but caused the loss of lives and destruction of properties,” Otore stated.
He attributed the newfound civility to the tangible development outcomes under the current administration. Otore highlighted significant strides in agriculture, real estate and road infrastructure, which he argued are direct results of the cordial relationship between the Luo community and President William Ruto’s government.
“Access to markets to facilitate farm produce has been eased due to better connectivity as a result of good roads. The reforms in the energy and sugar sectors are something to take note of due to the heavy investments President commits,” Otore noted.
Speaking exclusively to the Eyes Watch Media, Otore urged the community to continue supporting the Ruto-administration, framing it as a continuation of the legacy envisioned by the late opposition leader Raila Odinga. He posited that the region’s prosperity hinges on a departure from confrontation in favor of collaborative governance.
Echoing these sentiments, Kennedy Obuya, the UDA Chairman for Homabay County, commended the organizers of the voter registration exercise, particularly in Kisumu Kondele ward. Obuya emphasized that meaningful change is achieved through electoral participation, not street violence.
“We cannot sit back and watch our young people lose lives through street violence. I want to commend the organizers of the enhanced voter registration yesterday in Kondele,” Obuya affirmed.
Obuya stressed the necessity of connecting the region’s youth to economic opportunities created by the national government. He called on Nyanza leaders to play a proactive role in guiding the younger generation toward productive engagement.
“I want to encourage our leaders in Nyanza to continue engaging our young people in meaningful spaces and connect them to the numerous job opportunities created by the Ruto-administration in the housing sector,” he said.
According to Obuya, the region’s decision to give the street protests a wide berth illustrates a “renewed spirit” to walk the transformation journey with President Ruto. This move, he argued, demonstrates that Nyanza has come of age by embracing civility over violence.
Leaders and ordinary citizens across the political divide have praised the maturity displayed by Nyanza residents, noting that the focus on registration drives rather than riots represent a significant evolution for a region once synonymous with clashes.
The shift towards structured dialogue, they argue, is the viable pathway to addressing grievances and securing the region’s development agenda..
