Education philanthropist Edward Onyango, popularly known as Bob CEO, has intensified his engagement with residents of Kisumu Central after assisting close to 200 students to transition to Grade 10 senior schools, as he eyes the constituency’s parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election on an ODM ticket.
The beneficiaries were drawn from all wards within Kisumu Central and received support ranging from payment of school fees to provision of uniforms, textbooks, and other basic requirements needed for admission into senior schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Speaking during the issuance of the support packages, Onyango said the intervention was informed by the financial strain many families face at the beginning of the year, particularly January, when households are recovering from the December holiday period.
“January is always a very difficult month for many families,” Onyango said.
“At the same time, this is when children are required to report to school with fees, uniforms, and learning materials. I felt it was only right to stand with parents and guardians during this critical transition.”
The support comes at a time when thousands of learners across the country are joining senior school for the first time under the CBC system, a process that has placed additional financial pressure on low-income households.
Onyango said education would remain a central pillar of his engagement with the community, noting that access to schooling remains uneven despite government interventions.
“Education is the greatest equalizer,” he said.
“If we want to break the cycle of poverty in Kisumu Central, we must ensure that no child is denied education simply because their parents cannot afford basic school requirements.”
Parents and guardians who benefited from the initiative welcomed the assistance, saying it had eased the burden of preparing their children for senior school.
“I was worried because I had not raised enough money for fees and uniform,” said Atieno Odhiambo, a parent from Railways ward.
“This support has given my child a chance to continue with education without delay.”
School administrators also stated that such interventions play a critical role in ensuring the smooth transition and retention of learners, particularly in urban informal settlements where dropout rates remain high.
“Many students fail to report on time or drop out completely because of lack of school fees and basic items,” said a head teacher from a public senior school in Kisumu.
“Any effort that keeps children in school is welcome.”
Onyango said his initiative was not politically driven but anchored on long-term community development, adding that he plans to expand education support programs to include mentorship and academic guidance.
“This is not about one-off assistance,” he said.
“We want to walk with these students throughout their education journey and also support families that are struggling.”
While he has not formally launched his campaign, Onyango has been steadily increasing his grassroots presence across Kisumu Central, with a focus on education, youth empowerment, and social support as key areas.
Political observers note that education-focused initiatives often resonate strongly with voters in the constituency, where unemployment and poverty continue to undermine access to learning.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gradually take shape, Onyango’s growing involvement in education support is expected to sharpen debate around the role of leaders in addressing social challenges beyond policy pronouncements.
For now, he says his priority remains ensuring that students from Kisumu Central can report to senior school with dignity and hope for a better future.
