Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili has unveiled a 10-point development agenda dubbed “The Kisumu Promise”, outlining his vision for the county as he positions himself to succeed Governor Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o in the 2027 gubernatorial race.

Owili unveiled the blueprint during a media breakfast in Kisumu under the theme “Building on the Foundations, Safeguarding Kisumu’s Future.”

The agenda focuses on improving service delivery, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, youth employment, women and small businesses, water and sanitation, education, accountability and the completion of major development projects.

Owili said his administration would seek to create a county government that listens to residents, delivers services and remains accountable.

1. Government from the centre to the village

Owili proposes the establishment of Village Councils and Village Administrators across Kisumu County.

The structures would give residents a greater role in planning, budgeting and monitoring development projects while bringing government services closer to communities.

2. Strengthening healthcare in Kisumu

Healthcare is a key pillar of the Kisumu Promise.

Owili has pledged to improve staffing, medical equipment and the availability of medicines in county health facilities while strengthening maternal, child, emergency and community healthcare.

He also proposes transforming Kisumu County Referral Hospital into a premier healthcare facility.

3. Roads, drainage and clean energy

The plan prioritises the improvement of rural access roads and drainage systems, particularly in flood-prone areas.

Owili also wants to strengthen road connections between farms, schools, markets and beaches while expanding solar lighting and floodlights in market centres.

4. Agriculture and fisheries

The Deputy Governor has promised increased support for farmers through extension services, subsidised farm inputs and mechanisation.

In the fisheries sector, he proposes completing fish landing sites, expanding cold-storage facilities and promoting fish processing and value addition to create more economic opportunities.

5. Youth employment and opportunities

Owili’s agenda targets Kisumu’s youth through expanded vocational and digital skills training, digital hubs, youth enterprise support, apprenticeships and internships.

He also plans to increase investment in sports and the creative economy as potential sources of jobs and income for young people.

6. Women and SME empowerment

The Kisumu Promise proposes increased support for women and small and medium-sized enterprises through revolving funds, access to finance, insurance and markets.

Owili also proposes establishing One-Stop SME Support Centres to help businesses with registration, licensing and financing.

7. Water, sanitation and urban development

Owili has pledged to accelerate water pipeline and sewer extensions while improving drainage, waste collection and urban planning.

The plan places particular emphasis on improving living conditions in informal settlements across Kisumu.

8. Education and VTC development

The agenda includes upgrading Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) facilities, improving Vocational Training Centres and ensuring timely access to bursaries and scholarships.

Owili also wants stronger links between education, technology, innovation and employment.

9. Transparent and accountable governance

Owili has promised greater transparency in the management of county resources.

Under the plan, the county would publish information on projects, budgets and implementation timelines, while stalled projects would be audited.

He also pledged to reduce wastage and ensure public spending is linked to measurable development outcomes.

10. Safeguarding Kisumu’s development gains

The final pillar focuses on protecting and completing major projects and investments that Owili says are critical to Kisumu’s future.

These include the revitalisation of Kisumu Port, completion of the Lakeside Promenade, establishment of Special Economic Zones, urban renewal programmes, fish landing sites, a comprehensive cancer centre and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Owili also said he would lobby for the Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway, strengthen specialised healthcare and support major housing and investment projects.

Owili positions himself as candidate of continuity

The unveiling of the Kisumu Promise comes as Owili positions his 2027 bid around continuity and consolidation of the Nyong’o administration’s development agenda.

Having served alongside Governor Nyong’o for nine years, Owili says his experience has given him a deeper understanding of Kisumu’s achievements, challenges and unfinished projects.

His political argument is therefore centred on building on what he describes as the foundations laid by the current administration while addressing areas where delivery remains incomplete.

The 10-point agenda is now likely to become a major reference point in Owili’s campaign as he seeks to convince Kisumu voters that his experience in the current administration gives him the ability to lead the county into its next phase.

The key political question will be whether voters will embrace his continuity-with-correction approach or prefer a different direction in the 2027 Kisumu gubernatorial contest.