Kisumu County Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili has announced his bid to become the county’s next governor, seeking to succeed his boss, Anyang’ Nyong’o.
Dr Owili made the announcement in Kisumu, saying his administration would be guided by what he described as a simple commitment: a government that listens, delivers and remains accountable to residents.
His campaign team includes county executive committee members John Awiti, Jerome Ochieng, Gregory Ganda and Beatrice Odongo, as well as other county officials and local business leaders.
Dr Owili said leadership should be judged by the lives it changes rather than the promises made during campaigns.
He said his priorities would include improving healthcare, roads and other infrastructure, access to clean water, job creation and economic opportunities for young people.
He also pledged to improve education and increase support for farmers, fisherfolk, women and small businesses.
“We will champion transparent leadership, prudent use of public resources, and ensure that development reaches every ward, every village and every community without discrimination,” he said.
Dr Owili said he would establish village councils and appoint village administrators across Kisumu to bring county services closer to residents.
He said residents would have a greater role in planning and budgeting, including monitoring development projects from the start to completion.
The deputy governor said his administration would focus on devolving services to the grassroots, including healthcare.
He promised to upgrade health facilities across all sub-counties to level-five facilities and introduce social protection and medical cover for households unable to afford healthcare.
Dr Owili also pledged a steady supply of essential medicines and improvements in maternal, child, emergency, mental health and community healthcare.
He said he would recruit and train more health workers, improve medical equipment in county hospitals and strengthen the capacity of community health promoters.
He also promised to turn Kisumu County Referral Hospital into a leading specialist healthcare facility.
“We have already invested heavily to modernise and upgrade hospital infrastructure,” he said.
On youth employment, Dr Owili promised to expand vocational and digital skills training.
He said digital hubs would be established and equipped in villages to create alternative employment opportunities for young people.
He also pledged support for youth-owned businesses and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as apprenticeship and internship opportunities.
For women, he promised improved access to markets and affordable business support through revolving funds backed by the county government.
Dr Owili said his administration would expand access to clean and reliable water by accelerating pipeline extensions and sewer connections, particularly in informal settlements.
He also pledged to improve drainage in flood-prone areas, clear drains ahead of the rainy season and strengthen waste collection and sanitation services.
In education, he promised to upgrade vocational training centres and improve early childhood development education classrooms and learning facilities.
He also pledged timely bursary and scholarship payments for needy students.
Dr Owili said he would seek to revitalise Kisumu Port to boost the blue economy, regional trade and the city’s role as a gateway to the Great Lakes region.
He promised to accelerate urban renewal programmes, including the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project and other donor-funded initiatives.
The projects, he said, would improve infrastructure and public amenities while raising living standards in Kisumu.
He also pledged to complete and operationalise five fish landing sites being developed by the county government, describing them as key hubs for the blue economy.
Other proposals include completing a comprehensive cancer centre to provide specialist oncology services within the county.
Dr Owili also said he would support the establishment and operationalisation of the Med Aditus pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, with the aim of making Kisumu a centre for pharmaceutical production and healthcare innovation.
On public finances, he said his administration would link government spending to measurable results, improve financial discipline and reduce waste.
He also pledged to increase the county’s own-source revenue.
Dr Owili is seeking to take over from Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, who has served as Kisumu governor since 2017.
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