KISUMU, August 10, 2026 -Former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma has declared his intention to reclaim the county seat in the 2027 General Elections, terming it a “perfect return” to continue a journey of development and growth that he says was “nipped in the bud prematurely in 2017.”
Speaking during a press conference at a Kisumu hotel, Ranguma urged residents to give him another term.
“I only need five more years, and I am in the broad-based government,” he said.
“I am back and I am not anyone’s project. The slogan of being elected is to say what you have done and what you intend to do. I want to complete and rehabilitate the projects we undertook but which have now collapsed,” he said, timing his declaration exactly one year to the next election to replace Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, whose two-term mandate expires in 2027.
“This morning, I stand before you once again to declare my intention to seek the seat of Governor for Kisumu, to complete and rehabilitate the projects we undertook but which have now collapsed,” he added.
Ranguma said his tenure between 2013 and 2017 was cut short not by poor performance but by “emerging political expediency at that time.”
He however noted that his camp has remained respectful of the current leadership.
“For two terms they have served. I will allow the residents to judge for themselves because I will not be a judge,” he said.
The former governor spotlighted what he called “tremendous growth” during his administration, citing the unveiling of 1,157 projects across the county.
“For instance, we constructed a total of 522 roads in all the sub-counties. In health, we constructed 95 dispensaries and equipped them with drugs and staff,” he said.
“To make Kisumu County a 24-hour economy, we installed 45 solar floodlights in all the big markets in all the seven sub-counties.”
Ranguma also highlighted his education and social programs.
“The Governor Jack Ranguma Scholarship was a milestone for the needy and bright students, in which 280 benefitted, while we gave bursaries to over 10,000. I introduced a school feeding program and constructed 68 ECDE centres. For the first time in history we were able to control floods in Nyando and other sub-counties through desilting and excavation of riverbanks,” he said.
On water, he said his administration “managed to tackle water insecurity in the county by drilling and equipping 80 boreholes.”
He said his development agenda also focused on the informal sector, particularly boda boda operators.
“We took some to Rwanda on an exchange program to learn about the industry’s dynamics. We also constructed boda boda shades and started saccos for the sector,” he noted.
Ranguma claimed his administration created a conducive environment for business.
“I want to say that during my first tenure as the Governor of Kisumu, I created millionaires. We created a conducive environment for business to thrive and paid the contractors and suppliers promptly,” he stated.
He, however, questioned the current county debt: “When I left office, the pending bill at the close of the financial year was Sh800 million, and in our kitty we had the funds to pay for the pending bill. I wonder how it has skyrocketed to Sh5.9 billion,” he said.
As Chairman of the SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority, Ranguma said he is championing financial inclusion in line with President William Ruto’s guidelines, which he said are currently supporting many saccos in the Greater Western region.
“I know what it takes to turn around the economy of Kisumu and give hope to everyone. To revive the Kisumu business sector, rehabilitate the collapsed access roads, and tackle the rising water insecurity in the region,” he said.
“I am a prudent financial manager, tested and proven. I want to recreate our millionaires and make Kisumu City shine again. I have not come to make wealth but to serve our people, to improve staff welfare through capacity building, training, and promotions where possible,” he added.
While expressing respect for Governor Nyong’o, Ranguma said he harbors no ill feeling.
“Politics to me is a game played; you win and lose altogether, but we join hands for a common purpose, which is development,” he said.
He also recounted meeting ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga, who he said assured him the party’s nomination would be free, fair and verifiable.
“Dr Oburu assured me that he hasn’t endorsed or supported anyone. He allows all candidates to campaign freely,” Ranguma said.
His entry sets the stage for what is shaping up to be a mouth-watering contest. Other leaders eyeing the seat include former Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura, Kisumu West MP Rozah Buyu, Kisumu Central MP Dr. Joshua Oron, Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathews Owili, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga.
“To the great people of Kisumu, I kindly come to you to support my candidature to work for you. In JR, it is service to the people. Together, we can bring the glory back to Kisumu,” he appealed.
