“I will be an independent candidate, and any talk of zoning or party tickets should be ignored,” Obura declared.
KATITO, Kisumu 15th December -Former Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) and Member of Parliament for Kisumu Central, Ken Obura, has formally launched his bid for the Kisumu County governorship, declaring his intention to run as an independent candidate in the 2027 general elections.
In a strategic decision with the potential to fundamentally alter the lakeside county political dynamics, Obura directly challenged the prevailing narrative that the governor’s seat is the exclusive preserve of either the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) or the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
He positioned his campaign as a populist endeavour, asserting that its foundation would be the direct will of the electorate rather than the infrastructure of any political party. Obura explained his conscious departure from partisan politics, contending that nomination processes within dominant parties frequently marginalize robust grassroots candidates and erode accountability once leaders secure office.
He expressly refuted rumours associating him with UDA, stating his readiness to compete against any nominee presented by the established political formations.
“I will be an independent candidate, and any talk of zoning or party tickets should be ignored,” Obura declared before a mammoth crowd in Katito town, Nyakach Constituency. “Those who will carry ODM or UDA flags should prepare for a serious contest.”
The former legislator issued a pointed critique against what he described as reflexive party loyalty among county leaders, arguing that this allegiance has diluted effective service delivery. He specifically accused ODM-affiliated Members of the County Assembly of failing in their oversight role, creating an environment he said has permitted mismanagement to flourish under Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s administration.
A central pillar of Obura’s platform focused on the county’s health sector. He asserted that public hospitals are grappling with perpetual shortages of essential medicines and linked low staff morale and poor service directly to the delayed payment of salaries.
He committed to prioritizing the timely remuneration of health workers and ensuring consistent medical supplies under his leadership.
“Our people are suffering because there are no drugs in hospitals and staff are not paid on time. This is a problem that can be fixed with proper leadership,” he stated.
Addressing environmental issues, Obura expressed dismay over the unsanitary conditions in major markets, where mounting, uncollected garbage presents public health hazards and stifles commerce. He promised to implement efficient and systematic waste management protocols to restore cleanliness and revitalize the trading atmosphere.
Educational infrastructure, particularly Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes, also occupied a prominent place in his remarks. Obura lamented the neglect of this sector, citing inadequate compensation for tutors and substandard learning environments. He vowed to reinforce the educational framework from its foundation to secure necessary support for both children and educators.
Shifting to agriculture, Obura portrayed a sector suffering from official indifference, leaving farmers unable to achieve sustainable production. He pledged to introduce comprehensive support programmes designed to boost productivity for subsistence needs and commercial ventures alike.
He further condemned the dilapidated state of roads across the county, noting that the problem persists despite substantial exchequer allocations from the national government. He emphasized that enhanced road infrastructure would facilitate mobility and reduce operational losses for boda boda operators and traders.
“I want roads that help our people do business without constant breakdowns and unnecessary costs,” he affirmed.
In a notable political aside, Obura indicated that while he would not actively campaign for other county-level aspirants, he intends to support President William Ruto’s re-election campaign. He clarified that his principal objective remains securing a direct mandate from Kisumu residents to serve as their governor.
His personal assistant, Nyaori Nyang, reinforced this message of political independence to the gathering, framing the 2027 election as a referendum on leadership calibre and integrity rather than partisan identity.
“Kisumu’s electorate has been failed by party-centric politics and now requires a leader who maintains direct, unmediated engagement with the populace. Leadership is about character and commitment, not party colours,” Nyang asserted, portraying Obura as a figure uniquely equipped to guide Kisumu onto a novel trajectory.
With the 2027 elections plebiscite beckoning, Obura’s formal declaration injects a fresh and compelling variable into the Kisumu gubernatorial race, pitting him against Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Matthew Owili, Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda, Kisumu Central MP Dr Joshua Oron, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, and Audit Officer Rodgers Okeya, among others.
