By Anderson Ojwang’
The cosmopolitan and populous Kisumu Central Constituency is writing its’ story as only the constituency in Nyanza where an MP serves for a single term.
Kisumu Central accounted for 47 percent of the registered voters in Kisumu County with the Independent Electoral Boundary Commission (IEBC) recording 606.784 registered voters in the 2022 general elections.
Kisumu Central constituency accounted for 130,149 voters making it the determinant in the gubernatorial, women representative, and senatorial contests.
Previously, the Kisumu Central was known as Kisumu Town constituency before it was split into two constituencies namely Kisumu Town and Kisumu Rural respectively.
Similarly, Kisumu Town was again split into three constituencies namely Kisumu East, Kisumu West, and Kisumu Central respectively.
The constituency is known for its open door policy to aspirants regardless of one’s clan, tribe, societal status, or religion in the pursuit of the seat
The constituency has produced three MPs after it was curved out with the founding MP being businessman Ken Obura in 2013 .
But Obura only served a term and lost to former Central Gem member of the County Assembly in Siaya county, Mr. Fred Ouda who defeated him in ODM party nominations and subsequently won the seat in 2017.
But as precedent had been set Ouda also fell to the axe and lost in the last general election in 2022 to Kisumu businessman Dr Joshua Oron, who garnered 54,060 to the former’s 26,104 votes.
Currently, Oron has set his eyes on the Kisumu gubernatorial seat where the incumbent Prof Anyang Nyong’o is serving his final term.
The decision by Oron to shift to the gubernatorial is making the constituency to be where an MP serves for one term.
Similarly, the battle is shaping to be a three prong pitting immediate former MP Ouda alias dugi with the new entrants Dr Benard Aete alias dume dume, Mr. Edward Onyango alias Bob CEO who have all rolled out elaborate campaign strategy to occupy the seat.
Ouda expressed optimism about recapturing the seat based on various and massive developments he undertook during his tenure.
“My record speaks for itself. I constructed ultra-modern classrooms and initiated other infrastructural development in the area. Several students benefited from my bursary scheme,” he said.
Ouda said he has remained in contact with his voters and continues to support them in various projects ranging from school fees to general welfare including funerals,
“I am more than ready to face off with my able opponents. I know how to win the seat. I am more loyal to the party and the voters,” he said.
But Aete said he was bringing freshness to the city of Kisumu which requires an astute leadership with vast knowledge in management and venture entrepreneurship.
He said through Dr Aete-Dume Foundation already he was sponsoring 68 students in secondary schools with the majority in national schools.
“I have given full scholarships to seven students at Ngiya Gurls, six at Mangu High School, 11 at Kisumu Girls, five at Chakavali Hugh School, four at Chemelil High, and 13 at Chianda High School. Others are in different local schools,” he said.
Dr Aete is credited for the purchase of the Bus by Kisumu Juakali and the artisan group where he spearheaded the funds drive that enabled the group to buy the bus.
“I have conducted funds drive for 9 women groups and various border groups. Currently, I have paid the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to 50 old people in the area” he said.
Equally, Onyango who is the grandson of the first Kisumu Mayor Grace Onyango said he is the best bet for the seat and is ready to evoke and rekindle the town’s economic milestones of the grandmother.
“I have already conducted medical camps in all the six wards of Kisumu and I plan to do a repeat because health care is my passion,” he said.
Onyango said currently he sponsoring 10 students to pursue education at various levels and was also engaged in community service even before he declared intent for the seat.
He said at Uhuru Market he constructed 60 shades for businesswomen in the market to empower their business.
‘I have a rich history of the town’s development. I am equal to the task and currently, I have been engaged in empowering the youths through job creation,” he said.
Dr Oron has currently embarked on his pursuit of a gubernatorial seat and has been traversing the county leaving the constituency for potential suitors.
