Sh520 Million “Gift” for Siaya: President Ruto Honors PS Oluga with Massive Water and School Funding

RARIEDA, Siaya County — In a rare display of political unity and community pride, President William Ruto on Sunday, March 8, 2026, joined thousands of residents at Okela Primary School to celebrate the homecoming of Dr. Ouma Oluga, the Principal Secretary for Medical Services. The event, held nearly a year after Oluga’s 2025 appointment, served as a powerful tribute to a man whose career has moved from the picket lines of medical strikes to the corridors of national power.

President Ruto, addressing the vibrant crowd in the opposition stronghold, lauded Dr. Oluga’s “tenacity and transformative leadership.” To mark the occasion, the President announced a Sh520 million investment for local community projects, specifically targeting water infrastructure and the construction of a new secondary school in the area. “We are developing every part of Kenya equally,” the President stated, emphasizing that the funding was a gesture of appreciation for Oluga’s exemplary performance in steering Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms.

The homecoming was a star-studded affair that transcended party lines. Leaders usually seen on opposite sides of the aisle, including Siaya Governor Gladys Wanga and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, shared the stage with UDA officials. Their presence signaled a strengthening of “broad-based” political ties, with Junet Mohamed noting that the collaboration between the government and local leadership is essential for regional development. Also in attendance were ODM leader Oburu Oginga and Mama Ida Odinga, highlighting the deep community roots of the Medical Services PS.

The atmosphere was lightened by emotional and often humorous anecdotes from Dr. Oluga’s mother, who entertained the guests with stories of her son’s school days and his journey from a spirited young boy to a doctor who once faced jail time for advocating for healthcare workers’ rights. Dr. Oluga, visibly moved, reaffirmed his commitment to the “Bottom-Up” health agenda, promising to ensure that every Kenyan, regardless of their social standing, has access to quality medical services.

As the sun set over Rarieda, the event concluded not just as a political rally, but as a homecoming of a “son of the soil” who has successfully bridged the gap between activism and administration. For the residents of Siaya, the Sh520 million “homecoming gift” serves as a tangible reminder that in the current political climate, development is beginning to speak louder than party slogans.