President Uhuru Kenyatta has set out on a mission to increase his popularity in Raila Odinga's strongholds of Nyanza, Western and Coast Regions ahead of the upcoming General Election.
Accompanied with his deputy William Ruto, the President is currently on a charm offensive of South Nyanza where he has toured Kisii and Nyamira Counties launching development projects and addressing rallies. Kenyatta commissioned equipment worth Sh460 million at Kisii Level 5 hospital and gave Gucha hospital Sh380 million for a facelift.
On Thursday, Kenyatta announced the planned revival of Pan Paper Mills in Webuye, Opposition heavyweight Moses Wetangula's backyard.
In a statement, the President said a investor had agreed to inject Sh6 Billion in the dead paper factory to hasten economic transformation in the region and to create jobs in the county.
"I am informed this investment will yield close to 1,500 jobs for the people of Bungoma and Western Kenya within the next 3 years. The good news also is that the investor has given an assurance that former employees of Pan Paper Mills will be given priority as the initial employees to be re-absorbed into the business", the statement said.
However, this is not the government's only foray into Bungoma County. On Wednesday, Treasury bumped up bail out financing for the troubled Mumias Sugar Company by Sh1 Billion bringing the amount to Sh2.1 Billion.
Kenyatta seeks to endear his government to the voters in Bungoma which is incidentally CORD's stronghold in Western Kenya.
Prior to that, the Jubilee leaders met with 10,000 leaders from lower Eastern region where CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka hails from.
During the meeting that took place in State House and was attended by a number of Cabinet Secretaries, Uhuru said that his government had invested Sh144 Billion in the region.
President Kenyatta said he will visit the counties of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui later in May to inspect the development projects in the region. He also said that he would make a repeat visit of the region in June.
Western, Nyanza and Eastern are not the only regions under the radar of the President. His prolonged stay in the Coast region from December 24 last to January was viewed with suspicion by many as CORD has massive support in the area.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Raila Odinga has remained mum on the President eyeing his territory.
