Educationist Peninah Odoro has stepped up her campaign for the Kisumu County woman representative seat ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general election.
Odoro began her outreach by seeking support from members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she worships, before expanding her campaign to other parts of the county.
Speaking at Bethlehem Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kisumu, she said her decision to contest the seat was driven by what she described as a desire to advance the interests of women.
“My candidature is based on principle. As an Adventist, I am coming first to my church members so that they can understand my mission and help me take the message to the people of Kisumu,” she said.
Odoro, a trained secondary school teacher, said her career in education and public administration had prepared her for elective office.
She said she had headed several learning institutions in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties before joining the Kisumu County government, where she served as chief officer for education.
She later left public service.
Odoro said her experience in managing public institutions had given her an understanding of challenges facing residents and the need for accountable leadership.
“I have served in education and public management for many years. I understand the challenges affecting our people, and I believe this experience gives me a strong foundation to serve women and the wider community,” she said.
Her campaign, she said, would focus on increasing women’s participation in decision-making and development programmes.
She argued that women had often been excluded from key decisions despite their role in families, communities and the economy.
“I am in this race to bring the voices of fellow women to the table. Women have been neglected and pushed to the corner for a long time, and I want to ensure their concerns are heard,” she said.
Odoro also cited her experience in education and public management as part of her case for the seat, saying she wanted to use that experience to promote opportunities for women and address challenges affecting them across the county.
The Kisumu woman representative position is currently held by Ruth Odinga. Odinga has expressed interest in contesting the Kisumu governorship in the 2027 election.
Her possible move has increased speculation about a contest for the woman representative seat, with several aspirants expected to seek the position.
Odoro has begun building her campaign through religious and community networks, starting with the Adventist community before taking her message to voters across Kisumu County.
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