The race to succeed outgoing Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has taken a decisive turn after two prominent Kisumu Central politicians declared support for Woman Representative Ruth Odinga’s gubernatorial bid.
Former MP Fred Ouda and businessman Edward Onyango, popularly known as “Bob CEO,” pledged their backing at a private strategy meeting held at Ruth’s home on Friday evening. The duo also confirmed they would contest the Kisumu Central parliamentary seat under the ODM banner while mobilizing their political bases in support of her campaign.
Kisumu Central, the county’s largest constituency with more than 130,000 registered voters, is a critical battleground. In 2022, Dr. Joshua Oron captured the MP seat with 54,060 votes, defeating Ouda, who polled 26,104 as an independent. Oron has since declared interest in the 2027 governorship, setting up a high-stakes battle within ODM.
Ruth, sister to ODM leader Raila Odinga, welcomed the endorsement, saying: “I am truly honoured by this show of confidence. I will not let you down. I intend to traverse every corner of Kisumu County and share my vision for a better, more inclusive county government.”
The alliance signals a strategic consolidation around Ruth Odinga’s candidacy, strengthening her grassroots networks and resource mobilization ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested ODM nomination. Her backers argue that her record and experience make her best placed to lead Kisumu after Nyong’o’s second and final term.
“This is not about names or families,” Onyango said. “This is about delivering for the people of Kisumu. Ruth Odinga has the experience, the networks, and the integrity to take Kisumu to the next level.”
ODM remains dominant in Kisumu politics, but the party’s nomination process is widely seen as the real battleground. Whether the endorsements from Ouda and Onyango will tilt the balance in Ruth’s favour could determine both her political fortunes and the cohesion of ODM in Kisumu heading into 2027.
With just under two years to the polls, the early alliance has redrawn Kisumu’s political map and set the stage for an intense contest that could shape the county’s next chapter.
