Ruth Odinga launches campaign for Kisumu gubernatorial race

Kisumu Woman Member of Parliament Ruth Odinga, popularly referred to by her ardent supporters in the political cycles as Nyamami, has declared interest in the Kisumu gubernatorial race.

The firebrand politician, who is also a younger sister to the late former Kenyan premier Raila Odinga, launched a spirited bid for the 2027 Kisumu gubernatorial seat in her campaign couched in her slogan “Nyamami money in the pocket”.

She told residents that her bid was pegged on rolling out critical socio-economic empowerment programmes tailored to promote small and micro businesses with startup and expansion capital, especially to vulnerable groups including widows, youths, and persons living with disabilities, and self-help groups.

The event clearly demonstrated that the late Raila Odinga’s spirit still holds a tight grip in the Luo nation as the crowd went frenzy when Raila’s hit song by popular Luo benga artist Lady Maureen rented the air.

Odinga has pitched her campaign, propelled by starling performance on the development front during her stint as the Kisumu Women Representative.

The Woman's Rep rolled out her pro-development packed campaign by distributing cheques worth 100 million to youth and women groups across the county to venture in small and micro enterprises.

She pointed to the critical role of entrenching public participation in all local grassroots development initiatives

Odinga noted that is the reason why she has roped in over 4,500 local community groups including youth and women groups in the disbursement of NGCDF and Uwezo Funds

She at the same time disclosed that she has recruited and sponsored over 130 Juakali group members to undertake NITA examinations to enable them gain useful Skills

Odinga reiterated that the Juakali sector is the nerve of any economy and as such they must be empowered to help kill the culture of dependency of handouts currently rampant among the youth and that is only short term.

She further noted that incorporating local community development groups into Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) is the only worthwhile legacy a befitting leader can bequeath her people.

She equally pledged to bring the issue of rife insecurity in Kisumu in parliament noting that its now become a matter of national security that must be addressed with the weight and urgency it deserves.

She at the same time noted that Kisumu currently does not have a conducive infrastructure and environment for business like a business park especially for small and micro enterprises which needs to be developed.

 The entrance of Odinga into the Kisumu 2027 gubernatorial race has now hyped the Kisumu gubernatorial stakes, especially on who will carry the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) ticket given other ODM diehards like Prof. Tom Ojienda, Joshua Oron and Aduma Owuor had already declared interest for the same seat on the party ticket.

However, Ruth challenged the Luo nation to embrace the culture of electing leaders based on their development track record and not because of the party nor the Sh200 handouts they dish out during campaigns that is short-lived.