As political realignments in the country continue and new centres of influence emerge, questions abound about whether President William Ruto’s charm offensive in Western will solidify his shaky popularity.

For a whole week, the government’s show of power and opulence reverberated through the skies of Western Kenya as luxurious vehicles and helicopters honked through the region in search of support.

While it had been described as a working tour, observers believe the President’s visit to the region and his bags of goodies are part of a wider strategy to build grassroots support for his administration and his reelection campaign in 2027.