KISUMU, Kenya, October 14th –As the number of aspirants for the Kisumu Central Parliamentary seat continues to grow, the six-million-dollar question is who will be the next area Member of Parliament (MP) for this highly cosmopolitan area?
Located along the shores of Lake Victoria, the legislative seat has evolved over the years from Kisumu Town to Kisumu Town West, and is now known as Kisumu Central, which is predominantly urban in nature.
Several aspirants who have already declared their interest in the seat include immediate former area MP Fred Ouda alias Dugi Dugi, Kondele Ward MCA Joachim Oketch alias Swagga, and philanthropic businessman Edward Onyango aka Bob CEO, among others.
The serving area MP, Dr Joshua Odongo Oron, has already declared his interest in the highly coveted Kisumu gubernatorial position. He will join a mouthwatering battle of titans against the Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Matthew Owili, Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda, and Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, among other contestants.
Kisumu Central has a population of diverse and unique backgrounds, used to be the headquarters of the former Nyanza province, and with a regional pier and an international airport to boot.
It is also a hotbed of both local and national politics, with many people who reside here quite informed. The area is also a brisk business metropolis where goods and people from East and Central Africa converge for purposes of trade and commerce.
Formerly known as Kisuma, it is also home to the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) headquarters and has produced great sons and daughters.
It is against this background that the next legislator for Kisumu Central should be a person who has not only lived here their entire life, but also deeply understands the people’s plight through making impactful solutions.
That kind of quality was only found in former Kisumu Town MP, the late Job Omino, and to some extent Wilson Ndolo Ayah, and Reverend Ken Nyagudi.
Out of the current aspirants, the only person who could match the virtues of this trio is probably Bob, the CEO.
He was born and bred in Kisumu and is a grandson of the first elected woman lawmaker, the late Grace Onyango, and blends well with all age groups.
Youth and Women Empowerment
Bob, CEO, is steadily rising as a political force in Kisumu Central Constituency, and he is not just making campaign promises; he’s actively laying the foundation for what he calls “a new era of servant leadership.”
Bobisto, as he is also fondly referred to by some of his supporters, has been involved in several community initiatives in addition to employing hundreds of youths in a number of his business enterprises.
True to his commitment to youth development, Onyango has also thrown his weight behind grassroots football. By organising local tournaments, sponsoring youth teams, and lobbying for improved sports facilities, he sees football not only as a recreational activity but as a tool for peace, unity, and talent development.
“Football has the power to pull youth away from crime, drugs, and idleness. It gives them purpose, discipline, and sometimes, a career path,” Onyango says.
Onyango, who has declared his interest in Kisumu Central, is also the current Kisumu County Boxing Team Chairman, where he has donated several items of gear.
“I know I can best represent the people of Kisumu Central because I was born here and have been with them ever since,” he stated in an interview.”
The businessman has also been organising free medical camps for needy residents and employed over 200 young men in his various business enterprises in Kisumu Central.
Onyango’s name echoes in every corner of Kisumu, but his story isn’t that of power or pride, but one of people, purpose, and progress.
Community Philanthropist
Before venturing into politics, Onyango was already known for his warm heart and genuine concern for ordinary citizens.
He walked the same streets, listened to traders, supported youths with business ideas, and inspired many to dream bigger. When others spoke of promises, he delivered through action, quietly, consistently, and selflessly.
A respected community mobilizer and philanthropist, Onyango has become a household name in Kisumu through his grassroots initiatives that focus on youth empowerment, education support, and rapid response to local disasters.
He’s not your typical aspirant; he combines street-level understanding of people’s needs with a businessman’s precision in delivery.
At the heart of Onyango’s agenda is the youth, who make up the majority of Kisumu Central’s population. He believes that for the region to grow economically and socially, young people must be empowered with both opportunities and mentorship.
“We can’t keep waiting for solutions from Nairobi. Change starts with us, here at the grassroots,” Onyango says. “When we invest in young people, we invest in the future of Kisumu.”
Through various initiatives, he has been offering skills training, mentorship programs, and start-up support for young entrepreneurs.
His team has also organised community clean-ups, career talks in schools, and job networking forums—activities that have earned him popularity among the youth.
Education remains another cornerstone of Onyango’s campaign. He has been sponsoring needy students, distributing learning materials in informal schools, and advocating for better infrastructure in public learning institutions.
“No child should be left behind because their parents cannot afford school fees or uniforms. That’s unacceptable,” he asserts.
During floods in Kisumu earlier this year, Bob CEO was one of the first on the ground with emergency supplies—food, blankets, clean water, and medical kits. His swift action and coordination with local volunteers demonstrated leadership under pressure, winning him praise from both residents and humanitarian agencies.
“It’s during disasters that true leaders are revealed,” one resident from Obunga remarked. “Bob, the CEO, didn’t wait for TV cameras or funding—he just showed up.
Voice of the Voiceless
With the 2027 general polls fast beckoning, he is expected to give seasoned politicians a run for their money. His grassroots appeal, track record of community engagement, and fresh vision for Kisumu Central make him a strong contender in a constituency hungry for real change.
“We’re not just running to win a seat,” Onyango insists. “We are building a movement that will uplift families, transform lives, and return power to the people.”
As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on how Bob, the CEO, translates his groundwork into political momentum. But one thing is clear—he’s not waiting for the future to happen. He’s already shaping it.
Dugi Dugi, who is attempting a major comeback after losing to Oron, credits himself with initiating several projects in schools and will be depending on the same.
Swagga also believes he has lived in Kisumu for many years and has been closely working with youths and women.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kisumu Central constituency has about 130,149 registered voters and counting. It also has the following wards, namely Kondele, Market Milimani, Migosi, Nyalenda A and B, Railways, and Shauri Moyo- Kaloleni.
The first MP for Kisumu town in 1963 was Jamal Amir, who was again reelected into parliament in 1966, and was followed by Mama Grace Onyango, who later clinched the position from 1969 to 1979.
The late Wilson Ndolo Ayah broke the jinx in 1983 by winning the seat, only for Robert Ouko to capture the seat in 1988. Job Omino assumed the seat from 1990 to 2004, while the late Rev Nyagudi became the MP that year until 2007 when John Olago Aluoch was elected.
In 2013, Ken Obura was the MP until 2017 when Fred Ouda was elected, and Dr Joshua Oron clinched the seat during the last election in 2022.
Many people see in Bob CEO, a brother, a mentor, and a voice for the voiceless, the kind of leader Kisumu Central deserves in 2027.
