KISUMU, June 17, 2026 – As the race to succeed Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o in the 2027 General Elections intensifies, the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), Kisumu Branch, has officially waded into the contest.
The union launched a scathing attack on Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, accusing him of making derogatory and disrespectful remarks against the nursing profession.
Led by Kisumu Branch Secretary General Maurice Opetu, the union firmly asserted that nurses possess the integrity, capacity, intellect, and leadership acumen required to manage world-class institutions and public offices.
“It is deeply unfortunate for a leader of Aduma Owuor’s stature to advise Kisumu residents against electing a nurse simply because the county is currently led by a professor. His insinuation that nurses cannot be trusted with high-level leadership is both archaic and insulting,” KNUN stated.
The controversy erupted over the weekend during a funeral service for Jack Ong’ou brother to Food and Agriculture (AFA) Director Samuel Ong’ou in the Awasi-Muhoroni region.
Addressing the mourners in his local dialect, MP Owuor argued that the gubernatorial seat demands highly advanced academic credentials, seemingly taking a swipe at potential competitors.
“How can Kisumu transition from being led by a professor to being led by a nursing officer?” Owuor questioned, urging residents to exercise extreme caution when choosing the county’s next chief executive.
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The union strongly condemned the MP’s remarks, calling them a direct assault on the constitutional rights of healthcare workers to vie for political office.
In response, KNUN issued a rallying cry to its members and the broader medical fraternity to reject Owuor’s gubernatorial bid.
“We are urging all healthcare workers to pass the message: ‘Tell a nurse to tell a nurse’ not to cast a single vote for Aduma Owuor,” Opetu declared.
While acknowledging that the final decision lies with the voters, the union expressed confidence that the three-time Nyakach legislator “will never clinch the Kisumu gubernatorial seat” following his remarks.
“Hon. Oron rose from a humble background, and we will not follow where legislator Aduma is leading. Instead, we will avoid his candidacy like a plague or ebola,” the union added.
In a major political move, the union officially endorsed Kisumu Central MP Dr. Joshua Oron for the top county job. Championing him as a prime example of nursing excellence, KNUN highlighted that Oron is a highly trained nursing professional holding a Master’s degree, making him more than qualified to run for Governor or even the Presidency.
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The battle to succeed Prof. Nyong’o is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested races in the Nyanza region. The seat has also attracted other contenders such as Deputy Governor Mathews Owili, Prof Tom Ojienda (Kisumu Senator), Ken Obura (former Kisumu Central MP), Aduma Owuor (Nyakach MP), and several other heavyweights expected to declare their candidacies in the coming months.
