Silas Jakakimba, the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party's Homa Bay County Secretary, has intensified his political push in Suba North, declaring that he is ready to "step into the breach" and provide renewed leadership, coordination, and grassroots development ahead of the 2027 General Election. Jakakimba, who has held numerous meetings with President William Ruto in New York, says his experience and relationships within the broad-based government framework have positioned him to engage with different levels of government in pursuit of development for the people of Suba North and Homa Bay County.
Jakakimba, a former aide to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has accused the incumbent Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo of undermining cooperation within the region's political and development structures. He particularly pointed to recent public disagreements involving Odhiambo and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, arguing that political differences should not derail development efforts. Jakakimba's statement is part of an increasingly competitive political contest in the constituency.
Jakakimba's proposed approach involves continuous consultations with grassroots residents, political leaders, and other stakeholders while lobbying both county and national government structures for projects and opportunities benefiting residents. He said his focus would be on bringing together grassroots residents, political leaders, and other stakeholders around what he termed the "language that matters most" - development. Jakakimba framed his message around three key words: Unity, Access, and Development.
Jakakimba's message comes as the Suba North political contest gathers momentum, with the aspirant increasingly taking his campaign to villages and wards across the constituency. Recent reports indicate he has been conducting grassroots engagements in Gembe, Rusinga, Kasgunga, Mfangano, and Lambwe. His political pitch has increasingly centered on economic empowerment, fishing, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and the blue economy.
Jakakimba said Suba North requires leadership capable of connecting grassroots concerns with decision-making structures at the county and national levels. He noted that the people deserve leadership that is present at the grassroots and has access at the table. Jakakimba has been positioning himself as a candidate capable of leveraging his experience and national political networks to attract development opportunities to Suba North.
Jakakimba joined UDA in March 2024 after years of working with Raila Odinga and subsequently declared his intention to contest the Suba North parliamentary seat. As the 2027 race takes shape, the contest is increasingly shifting from political declarations to grassroots mobilisation, with development, access to government, and local political alliances emerging as key themes.
The Suba North parliamentary hopeful's campaign is gaining traction, with Jakakimba's message resonating with residents. His efforts to engage with the grassroots and promote development have been well-received, setting the stage for a competitive election in 2027. Jakakimba's ability to balance his economic and development-focused pitch will be crucial in determining his success in the upcoming election.
Key points
- Jakakimba's campaign focuses on economic empowerment, fishing, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and the blue economy.
- Jakakimba has been conducting grassroots engagements in various villages and wards across the constituency.
- Jakakimba's message is centered around three key words: Unity, Access, and Development.
