Former Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma has officially announced his intention to contest the gubernatorial seat in the next general election, pledging to revive stalled development projects.
Speaking in Kisumu on Monday, where he was accompanied by supporters, Ranguma said he intended to pick up from where he left off when he served as governor between 2013 and 2017.
He also rejected suggestions that he was being sponsored by another political figure, saying he was not anybody’s project
Ranguma, who was the county’s first governor, said his administration initiated numerous development projects during his five-year tenure, many of which he claimed had since stalled.
He said his government initiated 1,157 projects, including the construction of about 522km of roads and 95 dispensaries.
According to Ranguma, many of the roads were now in poor condition, while some of the dispensaries lacked staff and medicines.
He said that, if elected again, his administration would revive the projects initiated during his first term.
Ranguma also appealed to voters across Kisumu County to support his bid, saying he was now fully back in the race.
He praised the current governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o for his contribution to the county but criticised some officials around him, accusing them of letting him down.
Former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma when announced his return to the gubernatorial race in Kisumu on Monday/Photo: Fredrick Odiero.
Ranguma said Prof Nyong’o had good ideas but faced challenges in implementing them.
He also accused the county government of corruption, claiming that genuine contractors had not been paid despite funds being allocated for their work.
He alleged that money set aside to pay contractors was sometimes diverted for personal enrichment.
The former governor also used the occasion to recount what he described as the circumstances that led to him losing the 2017 and 2022 gubernatorial elections.
Ranguma’s return to the Kisumu gubernatorial race is expected to add another dimension to an already crowded contest.
Other potential contenders include Kisumu Central MP Dr Joshua Oron, former Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura, Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda and Nyakach MP Aduma Owour.
Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu and Deputy Governor Dr Matthew Owili are also eying to succeed Prof Nyong’o.
The race also has a strong regional dimension. Ranguma, Dr Oron and Obura are from the wider Kano area, while Dr Owili and Prof Ojienda hail from Nyakach.
Buyu comes from Bondo but is married in Kisumu West, where Odinga is also based.
Ranguma has yet to announce which political party he will use to contest the seat.
He has, however, declared his support for the broad-based government.
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