By Anderson Ojwang
Before the 2022 presidential election, Dr. Raymond Ojwang Omollo did not feature prominently in Nyanza’s political space. He was only known within the circles of then Deputy President William Ruto.
For Ruto, Omollo was a dependable ally in Nyanza — a resourceful personality he could count on during the 2022 presidential election. But for the region, Omollo was not part of the political equation until President Ruto elevated him to the national stage.
Indeed, President Ruto’s judgment proved right. Omollo has turned out to be a reliable, dependable, and resourceful figure — not only in Nyanza but also nationally. The President rewarded him with a strategic appointment as the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, a position in which he has performed remarkably well.
Soon after the election, President Ruto visited Homa Bay for a fundraising and prayer service, and since then, he has made the region his second home.
Omollo’s star rose with his appointment. He has succeeded where many politicians have failed — managing to balance allegiance to the President while avoiding antagonism with the political establishment in Nyanza.
Former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, in a recent interview, revealed that during the 2022 elections, Ruto (then Deputy President) and Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate asked her to contact Omollo to organize logistics and the campaign program for Nyanza.
“Omollo did a good job. Ray and his team went around collecting Form 34As at gunpoint — it was a daring moment, but they braved it. Even when ODM went to court to challenge the results, they had to rely on our forms from Nyanza because we did a proper job. ODM was disorganized and didn’t have the forms,” she said.
“People who don’t know him wondered how he got into that space — he worked for it. The President trusted him, and whenever Ruto called to ask how things were going, I told him Ray was doing a good job. He made coordination smooth and achievable.”
Omollo’s first step in entrenching himself within the community was through his Ray of Hope Foundation, which supports widows and orphans. The foundation has endeared him to the masses across Nyanza through its impactful initiatives — constructing houses, empowering groups economically, educating orphans, and offering training for employment.
Omollo has also been a strong supporter of sports development in the region, donating sports gear to clubs and sponsoring tournaments.
According to Sam Okombo Nyarombo, the Director of the Widowers Empowerment Program, the main goal is to offer healthcare, empowerment, and support services to a neglected group in society.
“For quite some time, we have focused on the girl child and widows but forgotten about widowers who have been living desperate lives after losing their spouses,” said Nyarombo.
“After realizing what our elderly single fathers go through, together with PS Omollo, we decided to start a program to offer them mental support, healthcare, and basic needs. We want to restore hope and make them feel valued again,” he added.
The formation of a broad-based government arrangement between President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga has also strengthened Omollo’s political standing. He now interacts freely with both leaders.
Omollo enjoys cordial relations with ODM legislators who have become his defenders against critics. Nyanza MPs, including Sam Atandi, Opondo Kaluma, Jared Okello, and Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang’o), have publicly supported him.
His successful delivery of national government projects in Homa Bay, as delegated by President Ruto, has also boosted his rating among local leaders.
Dr. Omollo has consistently emphasized that President Ruto’s development initiatives in Homa Bay are genuine and meant to spur economic growth.
“President Ruto means well for Homa Bay County. Several projects have been rolled out by the national government, and they are already having significant impact both regionally and nationally,” he said.
Despite being a key member of President Ruto’s administration, Omollo has never antagonized Raila Odinga. Instead, he has emerged as one of the unifying figures in the broad-based government arrangement.
Today, Omollo is widely accepted within the Odinga family and the broader ODM fraternity, where leaders and supporters identify with his initiatives.
In a recent post, Jalang’o wrote:
“Salute to a True Public Servant – PS Raymond Omollo.
Just had the pleasure of catching a moment with PS Raymond Omollo — a leader whose impact speaks louder than any title.
From strengthening national security to empowering communities, his commitment to service is unmatched. What stands out most is his humility, clarity of purpose, and unwavering dedication to making Kenya safer and stronger.
This selfie may be simple, but the respect I have for his work runs deep. Thank you, PS Omollo, for leading with integrity and vision.”
Will Omollo live up to the billing and become the next enigma in Nyanza politics?
