Canaan Ya Raila Ndio Hii Singapore! Ruto Links Raila’s Canaan to Singapore Dream in Luo Land

President William Ruto made headlines over the weekend with a speech in Homa Bay County. He told supporters there that the “Canaan” promised by the late Raila Odinga is the same as his own vision of turning Kenya into a place like Singapore.

The event was the finals of a football tournament called the Genowa Governor’s Cup. It took place at Raila Odinga Stadium on December 28, 2025. Local governor Gladys Wanga organised it. Several ODM leaders attended, including Oburu Oginga, Raila’s brother.

Ruto spoke directly to the crowd, many of whom are strong ODM backers from the Luo community. He said in Swahili, “Mlisikia Baba alituambia kuna safari ya Canaan. Hiyo safari ya Canaan ni hii ya kwenda Singapore.” That means he heard Raila talk about the journey to Canaan, and now that journey is heading to Singapore.

Raila Odinga passed away in October 2025 while getting treatment in India. He was 80. During his long political career, especially in the 2022 election, Raila often used “Canaan” as a slogan. It came from the Bible story of Moses leading people to a promised land. For his supporters, it meant better days, jobs, and fairness.

Ruto has talked a lot about Singapore lately. He points to how that small country grew rich fast after independence. No big resources, but good planning, hard work, and smart policies turned it around. The president says Kenya can do the same. Leave third-world problems behind and become a first-world economy.

In the speech, Ruto said he and Raila had talked about this before. They agreed Kenya needs to move up quickly. Now, with Raila gone, Ruto says his government will carry on that work. He told ODM people they are ready to join in. “ODM wamesema wako tayari,” he added.

This comes at a time when politics in the Nyanza region, home to many Luos, is shifting. Raila was the big leader there for decades. His death left questions about who comes next. Ruto has visited the area more often since then. Some see it as him reaching out to old opponents.

Not everyone buys the message. Critics say the Singapore talk is just big dreams without real steps. They point to ongoing issues like high living costs, youth joblessness, and debt. Others worry it downplays Raila’s full legacy on democracy and rights.

Still, at the stadium, the crowd listened. Ruto got cheers when he tied the two visions together. He promised more projects in the area, like better roads and markets.

Homa Bay is in western Kenya, along Lake Victoria. Fishing and farming drive the economy there. People follow politics closely. Raila’s name still carries weight. Naming the stadium after him shows that.

Ruto’s words seem aimed at building bridges. After years of rivalry with Raila, they worked together in recent times. Some ODM members joined the government. This speech feels like continuing that.

Kenya faces big choices ahead. Elections come in 2027. Ruto wants another term. Bringing in Raila’s old supporters could help. The Singapore idea is his main pitch now. Turn Kenya into a modern, wealthy nation.

People online reacted fast. Some clips of the speech went viral. Comments range from hope to doubt. One side says unity is good for progress. The other asks for proof first.

In the end, Ruto left Homa Bay with his point made. Raila’s Canaan and his Singapore are the same path, he claims. Whether voters in Nyanza and beyond agree, time will tell. For now, it’s a key moment in how politics is changing after Raila’s passing.

The president keeps pushing this line in other speeches too. He mentions countries like Malaysia and South Korea as examples. Says Kenya was at their level back in the 1960s. Now they pulled ahead. Kenya can catch up.

Local leaders in Homa Bay welcomed him. Governor Wanga praised some deliveries, like stadium upgrades. Senator Moses Kajwang spoke about shared goals.

Stories like this show Kenyan politics mixing old rivalries with new partnerships. Development talk is front and centre. But grassroots issues remain. Jobs, health, schools. That’s what many want fixed.

Ruto’s message to Luos and ODM fans is clear. Join the journey. The promised land is a developed Kenya. He calls it Singapore. They called it Canaan. ‘Same thing,’ he says.

As 2025 ends, this speech stands out. It honours Raila while pushing Ruto’s agenda. People in Homa Bay and across Kenya are watching what happens next.