By Sandra Blessings
Before the advent of devolution, Kisumu millionaires were made up majorly by the Asian community with pockets of few African business persons filling the gap.
Most of the businesses were owned by the Asians and they determined the Kisumu economy and growth, while the majority of businesses owned by the local community were struggling small scales.
But with the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution and actualisation of devolution, the birth of Kisumu County marked the beginning of a new economy in the lake city.
The election of Jack Nyangungo Ranguma marked a new dawn for Kisumu County that woke up, once a sleepy region, to a vibrant economy.
Ranguma, a respected administrator, turned around the Kisumu economy and, for the first time in the history of the region, emerged several millionaires of all shades in the region.
Ranguma created youth, women, and adult millionaires who, within a short time, revolutionised the city’s economy from the Asian community-driven to the native chartered.
Several businesses sprung up in Kisumu while small-scale traders also benefited from the emerging new economy. Kisumu’s economy boomed and money circulation was high.
But after the 2017 elections, when he lost the seat to Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, Kisumu has witnessed the dwindling number of Ranguma millionaires, while several business persons have been auctioned over failure to repay loans.
In the 2017 ODM nominations, Ranguma suffered the party’s wrath after the results were declared some 60 kilometres away from the official tallying centre.
Nyong’o was declared winner by County Returning Officer Tom Okong’o at Thurdibuoro Secondary School in Nyakach Constituency after he garnered 164,110 votes against Ranguma’s 91,480.
While in Kisumu at Aga Khan Hall in Kisumu Town, Ranguma was announced the winner by Deputy Returning Officer Richard Kiyondi with 118,934 votes against Nyong’o’s 32,028.
The party gave the ticket to Nyong’o, who eventually won the elections by commanding a decisive lead with 259,493 votes, translating to 63.38 per cent of the votes cast, trailed by Ranguma with 145,790 votes, translating to 35.61 per cent.
In the 2022 general elections, Nyong’o won again, garnering 319,357 against Ranguma’s 100,600 votes. Ranguma braved the strong ODM wave to post a great challenge to the party candidate.
Ranguma is credited for ending the age-long flooding of Kano Plains that annually displaced hundreds of families and destroyed crops and structures.
“For the five years I was the governor, the people of Kano never suffered from floods. We cleared and cleaned the River Nyando basin and did dredging that ensured no flooding,” he said.
After his ouster, floods returned to Nyando, and last November several families were displaced, and the common cry ‘Sirkal saidia sisi’ (government help us) returned to haunt the community.
Ranguma presided over the rollout of devolution to the ward level and initiated the Ward Development Fund by giving each ward Sh10 million.
“I was concerned by the state of our roads in Kisumu County. My priority was to open and murram new roads. During my time, we opened and murramed 1,197 kilometres of road in the county. Most of these roads have today collapsed due to non-maintenance,” he said.
Similarly, Ranguma constructed 74 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres and gave scholarships to 640 students, while 2,800 others benefited from bursaries.
“I was so passionate about the health of our people. We employed 249 village health workers, and we constructed 172 dispensaries. Some we left to be completed by the new regime. This was a milestone in realising improved health service delivery to our people,” he said.
Ranguma purchased eight ambulances, which were distributed to all the eight sub-counties for medical emergency response.
To ensure Kisumu was a 24-hour economy, Ranguma constructed floodlights in all the 72 large markets in Kisumu County, which he built.
Similarly, he constructed floodlights from Kisumu Boys roundabout to Nyamasaria, and another one from the same point to Kondele.
“I was able to sign a memorandum with a private investor that witnessed the construction of floodlights from Obote Road to Kisumu International Airport,” he said.
Ranguma also presided over the construction of 82 social centres, built 72 large markets and 140 small ones.
“I was able to supply 72 teams with sports uniforms and kits. I am passionate about talent development and that is why we had massive investment in sports,” he said.
During his term, the French government constructed four ultra-modern schools in Kisumu County and also signed the Kenya Urban Project (KUP) contracts that witnessed the modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground, construction of the modern Kisumu Fire Station, rehabilitation of Oile Park and the laying of cabros in Kisumu Central Business District (CBD).
“I was able to donate dairy cows to 32 groups in a bid to spur agriculture and food security in the region,” he said.
Former Chief Officer for Economic Planning, Mr George Akongo, said the administration ensured prompt payment of suppliers and contractors, and this made the economy stable and brisk.
“Ranguma allowed tenders to be given out to all the suppliers and through this new millionaires emerged. Kisumu’s economy was on the upward trend but currently it is fading out,” he said.
