Kisumu Central parliamentary aspirant Edward Onyango, popularly known as Bob CEO has endorsed Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga for the county’s governorship in the 2027 General Election.
Mr Onyango praised Ms Odinga’s management of the fund, saying it had benefited women, young people and vulnerable groups across the county.
He said Ms Odinga had ensured development projects reached different parts of Kisumu despite what he described as limited annual funding under NGAAF.
He was speaking during the distribution of National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) equipment and business grants to more than 40 community groups in Kisumu on Monday.
“As the Woman Representative, I want to sincerely thank you for the prudent use of public resources. Since assuming office, you have visited every part of Kisumu County, ensuring development reaches the people through NGAAF,” Mr Onyango said.
Community groups received equipment and financial grants during the event, while some beneficiaries said the support had helped expand their businesses.
Mr Onyango also said NGAAF bursaries had enabled students from low-income families to enrol in colleges and technical institutions.
He said the programme had improved livelihoods and expanded access to education.
The parliamentary hopeful also raised concerns over the future of artisans operating in Kisumu’s Jua Kali sector, saying they continued to face uncertainty because the land they occupy belongs to Kenya Railways Corporation.
He said the artisans had sought Ms Odinga’s intervention over fears of eviction.
“Through your networks and intervention, the artisans have not been thrown out of this land. We appreciate your efforts and ask you to continue pursuing a lasting solution to secure their livelihoods,” he said.
Mr Onyango, who is seeking to succeed Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron, also called on Ms Odinga to support traders operating at Kibuye Market, the Jua Kali sector and the city’s main bus park.
He criticised what he described as continued harassment of traders by the county government and opposed any plans to relocate them without public consultation.
He said the three trading centres played a significant role in Kisumu’s economy and argued that any relocation should only take place after consultations with traders and other stakeholders.
“Jua Kali, Kibuye and the bus park are the engines of Kisumu’s economy. Any relocation should only happen after meaningful consultations because disrupting these businesses will affect thousands of livelihoods,” he said.
Mr Onyango also announced a donation of KSh50,000, which he said was from Ms Odinga, to support legal expenses in an ongoing court case involving the Jua Kali artisans.
He concluded by publicly endorsing Ms Odinga’s expected bid for the Kisumu governorship, saying her record in implementing development programmes demonstrated her leadership credentials.
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