Kisumu Women Rep Ruth Odinga during a county-wide empowerment drive at Obwolo Chief’s camp/FAITH MATETEKisumu Woman representative Ruth Odinga has issued a caution and a challenge to fellow leaders, urging them to prioritise service delivery over premature political campaigns.
During her empowerment drive in Obwolo, Ruth said leadership “must be measured by results, not ambition,” underscoring her commitment to accountable governance rooted in community transformation.
Her remarks reflected growing public fatigue with leaders who focus on politicking instead of tangible progress.
Ruth has continued to demonstrate a practical, hands-on approach to leadership through her county-wide empowerment initiatives, distributing steel stalls, water tanks and community cheques under NGAAF.
By supporting small traders and farmers, the Woman rep has redefined empowerment as sustainability rather than tokenism.
Another initiative—a partnership with Kenya Seed Company and other institutions—signals a strategic shift toward agricultural resilience and food security—a key pillar in Kisumu’s rural economy.
Ruth has positioned herself as one of the leaders prioritising impact over rhetoric in Nyanza’s evolving political landscape, with a leadership style that blends empathy, strategy and substance.
To fight unemployment, nearly 2,000 youths have been trained through Nita and TVET, underscoring the Woman rep’s vision of skilling young people as opposed to providing temporary relief.
Her investment in the Blue Economy and Human Capacity Building programmes has also shown long-term vision.
Ruth also pledged to establish six GBV centres and a safe house in Gita Kajulu, adding a critical social dimension to her development agenda, addressing the safety and dignity of women.
Politically, Ruth’s avoidance of succession talk while reaffirming loyalty to ODM is seen as strategic maturity, anchoring her identity as a servant leader rather than a campaigner.
She also called for voter registration, further reflecting political awareness that genuine empowerment includes civic participation.
