Dr. Joshua Oron, the current Member of Parliament for Kisumu Central, is facing a political setback in his bid for the Kisumu gubernatorial seat.
Once seen as a rising political star, Oron’s gubernatorial aspirations have been marred by controversies surrounding his use of development funds for campaign activities, leaving many residents disillusioned and questioning his leadership abilities.
Oron’s political journey began on a high note in 2022, when he secured the Kisumu Central parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket, defeating the incumbent Fred Ouda. However, just one month after assuming office, Oron surprised many by announcing his candidacy for the Kisumu gubernatorial race, despite having secured the parliamentary seat he had long desired.
This decision, while initially gaining him popularity, has now become a point of contention. Critics liken Oron to the proverbial “dog that carried meat in its mouth, only to drop it upon seeing a reflection in the water,” suggesting that he has abandoned his parliamentary duties in pursuit of higher office, ultimately losing the trust of his constituents.
As the race heats up, Oron is facing stiff competition from Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, who is vying for the governorship after serving six years as the deputy to Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o. Dr. Owili, who has been ranked as the second-best deputy governor in the country, is a close ally of political heavyweight Raila Odinga and has built a reputation for his work in the county.
Other contenders for the gubernatorial seat include Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor who is also a ODM die hard and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, further intensifying the race.
As Oron’s political future hangs in the balance, many are watching closely to see if he can recover from the controversies that have plagued his campaign and regain the trust of the people of Kisumu.
