Former Kisumu Central Member of Parliament and Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Ken Obura has formally declared his bid for the Kisumu County governorship on an independent ticket, signaling a potential shake-up in the county’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election.
Addressing a large crowd at Katito Trading Centre in Nyakach on Monday, Obura dismissed claims that the governor’s seat is reserved exclusively for ODM or UDA candidates. He emphasized that his decision to run independently stems from a desire to answer directly to voters rather than political party structures.
“I am going to the people directly as an independent candidate,” Obura declared. “Forget about zoning, party tickets, or political labels. Whoever comes with ODM or UDA should be ready for a tough race.”
Obura distanced himself from UDA, asserting that he is prepared to take on any political formation without fear. He criticized dominant parties for using internal nomination processes to sideline grassroots leaders, which he argued undermines accountability and weakens governance after elections.
The former legislator also leveled sharp criticism at elected leaders for what he called “unquestioning loyalty” to party hierarchies, arguing that this has compromised oversight at the county level. He accused ODM-affiliated Members of the County Assembly of failing to effectively scrutinize the executive, contributing to persistent governance challenges under Governor Anyang Nyong’o.
Healthcare, a recurring concern in Kisumu, featured prominently in Obura’s address. He highlighted frequent drug shortages in public hospitals and delayed salaries for health workers, issues he said have lowered morale and compromised service delivery. He promised swift reforms if elected.
“Health facilities cannot function without medicine and motivated staff,” Obura said.
Obura also raised sanitation as a key priority, particularly in local marketplaces, promising structured garbage collection and disposal systems to improve public health and support small businesses. On education, he highlighted neglect in early childhood development programs, citing underpaid teachers and inadequate learning environments, and pledged targeted investments in early education across the county.
Agriculture, he noted, has been under-supported, leaving farmers struggling to meet food needs and earn sustainable incomes. Obura said his administration would implement programs to boost agricultural productivity for both subsistence and commercial farming.
Road infrastructure was another area of concern. Despite funding from the national government, many county roads remain in poor condition, he said, hurting trade and transport efficiency.
“Our people need roads that work for their businesses, not roads that drain their pockets,” Obura said.
While he intends to focus on his governorship campaign, Obura confirmed support for President William Ruto’s second-term bid, stressing that his priority remains winning the confidence of Kisumu residents.
Obura’s personal assistant, Nyaori Nyang, called on voters to embrace issue-based politics, urging citizens to prioritize integrity, accessibility, and service over party affiliation.
“Good leadership is defined by values and action, not party symbols,” Nyang said, describing Obura as a leader capable of delivering meaningful change.
Obura’s early declaration injects fresh energy into the Kisumu governor’s race, setting the stage for a highly contested battle in a county historically dominated by party politics.
