Architect Rodgers Okeya has officially declared his bid for the Kisumu gubernatorial seat, promising to tackle poverty through an ambitious development agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Okeya, popularly known as Omedo Raha, joins a growing list of aspirants seeking to succeed Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, whose tenure ends in 2027.
Speaking during a media briefing in Kisumu, Okeya unveiled a five-point blueprint dubbed Developing Kisumu, identifying poverty as the root of several challenges facing the county, including unemployment, insecurity and goonism.
Mr. Okeya said his political agenda has been informed by concerns raised by Kisumu residents during the several engagements he has had with them, particularly at Goan Hall in Milimani, Kisumu, on Saturday, September 26, where poverty emerged as a major concern.
“We wanted to understand where we are as a community in 2026, where we have come from before independence, post-independence and after devolution, and where we are heading towards 2027,” he said.
He also declared his intent to run on The Mwananchi Party (TMP) ticket.
Okeya added that Kisumu must explore its economic potential and secure a share of national resources to finance long-term development.
He singled out oil exploration as a potential economic game-changer, arguing that revenue from the resource could help transform the county’s education sector and create opportunities for future generations.
Reflecting on oil discoveries estimated at 800 million barrels during former President Mwai Kibaki’s administration, Okeya called for Kisumu to be considered in the sharing of national oil revenues.
“This is a blessing that has never happened in this region. Every barrel taken will never be replenished, so we must use it to build permanent intellectual capital,” he said.
To combat poverty, he proposed investing proceeds from oil into education, from early childhood development education (ECDE) to university, including scholarships and opportunities for students to study abroad.
Okeya also argued that Kisumu had comparative advantages over the Lokichar oil fields in Turkana, citing the availability of water from Lake Victoria and what he described as a more stable security environment.
He said these factors could lower the cost of transporting water and providing security for oil exploration activities.
He linked this to the plans for a refinery by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote in Lamu and oil development in Turkana. Okeya said Kisumu should pursue similar opportunities through partnerships with the national government and multinational companies.
His second pillar centres on supporting local enterprises through business training, access to financing and market linkages, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises, Jua Kali operators and agribusinesses.
His third proposal was a 10-year suspension of Standard Gauge Railway operations in Kisumu, which he said would create room for local businesses, trade and employment to grow while attracting new investment.
On social services, Okeya pledged free meals in ECDE centres, free healthcare for pregnant women, maternity services and healthcare for children below five years.
His fifth pillar seeks a Free City Charter for Kisumu, which he said would help position the lakeside city as an international business hub.
Under the proposal, he intends to attract investments in business process outsourcing (BPO), artificial intelligence, data centres, modern hotels, maritime transport, cruise tourism and the wider tourism sector.
His entry into the Kisumu County Gubernatorial race adds to an increasingly competitive race for the Kisumu governorship, with other potential contenders including Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu, Kisumu Central MP Dr Joshua Oron, Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili, Senator Prof Tom Ojienda, former Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor and former Governor Jack Ranguma, among others.
