Kisumu governor aspirant Rodgers Okeya has said he will contest for the county’s top seat on the Mwananchi Party (TMP), a political outfit associated with Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino.
Okeya said he had chosen the party because he believed it represented the interests of ordinary Kenyans, citing Owino’s political activism dating back to his student days.
“Owino has shown that he fights for the down-trodden,” Okeya said while addressing supporters in Kisumu.
He also praised Owino’s leadership in Embakasi East, saying the constituency had been recognised for its use of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Okeya said he believed Owino was capable of succeeding President William Ruto in 2032.
Describing the late former ODM leader Raila Odinga as an elder brother, Okeya said Owino could take up the mantle as a younger generation of leaders.
On his plans for Kisumu, Okeya said the county should be included in the country’s ongoing debate over oil exploration and development.
He claimed Kisumu had about 800 million barrels of crude oil and said the resource could be developed alongside oil reserves in Turkana.
Okeya said Kisumu’s water resources, security and strategic location gave the county advantages over Turkana in developing an oil industry.
He said oil exploration in the region could create jobs and other economic opportunities for local communities.
He also called for the standard gauge railway (SGR) terminus in Kisumu to be retained, citing the city’s historical and economic importance since the railway reached the lakeside town in 1901.
Moving the SGR to Malaba would hurt Kisumu’s economy, he said.
Okeya also criticised what he described as the underutilisation of large tracts of land in Kisumu.
He said the county had about 2,000 square miles of arable land that could generate greater economic value if properly developed.
He called for the establishment of cottage industries and creation of more jobs for young people.
Okeya has intensified his campaign to succeed Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, who is serving his second and final term.
Other politicians who have been mentioned as potential contenders include Kisumu Central lawmaker Joshua Oron, Senator Tom Ojienda, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Matthew Owili and Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu, Kisumu County Woman Representative Ruth Odinga and former chief administrative secretary Ken Obura also want to succeed Nyong’o.
Okeya said his background in the region gave him an advantage, describing himself as a candidate who had been born and raised in Kisumu.
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