Nyakach Professionals Seek Unity in Kisumu Governor Race

Nyakach professionals have initiated consultations to unite behind a single candidate in the Kisumu governor race. The initiative targets Deputy Governor Dr Mathews Owili, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, and Senator Tom Ojienda, who have expressed interest in the county's top seat. The professionals aim to assess the leadership credentials of the three aspirants and settle on one candidate to present a united front in the 2027 General Election.

The Nyakach Professionals group, led by secretary Collins Oremo and chairman Gerald Ondiek, seeks to foster unity and position the sub-county for the governorship. They argue that having multiple candidates from Nyakach could split the region's political support and weaken its chances of securing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket. The group will engage all three aspirants and evaluate their visions for the county.

The initiative has garnered support from Aduma Owuor, who welcomed the move, saying those seeking elective office should be prepared to face scrutiny from the public and other stakeholders. Owuor praised the professionals for taking an interest in the county's leadership, citing the value of their technical expertise in governance. He also disclosed that he was consulting other gubernatorial hopefuls beyond Nyakach.

The consultations introduce a new dimension to Kisumu's succession politics, with local alliances taking shape ahead of party nominations and the 2027 General Election. Other politicians positioning themselves for the race include Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron, Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, and former Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura.

Gerald Ondiek stated that the professionals would evaluate the three aspirants and announce their collective position. He noted that Kano had previously produced a governor, while Seme was completing its turn in the county's leadership, arguing that Nyakach should now position itself for the top seat.

The Nyakach Professionals' initiative comes as competition for Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang' Nyong'o's succession gathers momentum. The group aims to unite Nyakach and position it for the governorship, with the goal of presenting a strong candidate in the 2027 General Election.

The outcome of the consultations will determine which candidate will carry Nyakach's ambitions into the wider Kisumu contest. The professionals' involvement is expected to bring a new level of scrutiny and evaluation to the selection process, potentially influencing the county's leadership dynamics.

Key points

• Nyakach professionals seek to unite behind one candidate in the Kisumu governor race to strengthen the region's chances of securing the ODM party ticket.