Nyandiare throws hat into Kisumu Senate race, cites Raila's legacy

Lawyer Stephen Nyandiare has declared his intention to contest the Kisumu senatorial seat in 2027.

Lawyer Stephen Nyandiare has declared his intention to contest the Kisumu senatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, positioning himself as a long-time ally of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga and vowing to pursue people-focused legislation if elected. 

Nyandiare, a native of Kisumu West Sub-county, is eyeing the seat currently held by Prof. Tom Ojienda, who has publicly indicated plans to seek the Kisumu governorship. 

His entry is expected to intensify competition within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which commands strong political influence in the lakeside county, making the party ticket a key prize for aspirants. 

Speaking during an interview in Kisumu, Nyandiare said his political outlook was shaped early in life through a close personal relationship with Raila Odinga, whom he described as a mentor who took a keen interest in nurturing young leaders. 

Nyandiare said he first interacted with Raila while growing up in the Manyatta informal settlement at the age of 16, an encounter that went on to define his political journey. 

“I knew Raila beyond the public image,” he said.

 “He mentored me closely and guided me through different stages of my life, both personally and professionally.”

 According to Nyandiare, he later became part of a small circle of younger leaders who regularly engaged Raila on governance, party affairs and youth participation, alongside Migori Senator Eddy Oketch and businessman Oketch Salah.

 That association, he said, extended beyond local politics to continental engagements. 

During Raila Odinga’s campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, Nyandiare says he played a supporting role in resource mobilization and political coordination, helping to engage stakeholders across several African countries that backed Raila’s bid.

 He also served in international election observation missions in countries such as Guinea-Bissau and Malawi, assignments he says were intended to expose him to democratic processes beyond Kenya.

 “Those experiences gave me a broader understanding of governance, accountability and leadership,” Nyandiare said. 

Beyond political networks, Nyandiare said his motivation to seek office is rooted in his upbringing among low-income families in Kisumu.

 He recalled spending much of his childhood at Kibuye Market, where his mother worked as a small-scale trader, an experience that exposed him to the economic hardships faced by informal workers. 

“I grew up seeing how hard people work to survive and how disconnected policy decisions can be from their realities,” he said. 

“That is why traders, youth and marginalized communities remain central to my agenda.”

 His ties to grassroots traders were evident recently when he accompanied women from Kisumu to Bondo for Raila Odinga’s burial, where he delivered a tribute highlighting the veteran politician’s commitment to mentoring young leaders. 

Political analysts in Kisumu say Nyandiare’s long-standing association with Raila Odinga, coupled with his legal background and roots in Kisumu West, places him among the notable contenders in the race to succeed Ojienda. 

With ODM expected to dominate the contest, the party’s nomination process is likely to shape the final outcome. 

Nyandiare says his Senate bid will focus on legislation and oversight aimed at addressing unemployment, urban poverty and stalled development projects in Kisumu and the wider Lake Region. 

“The county has immense potential, but it requires deliberate and consistent policy support,” he said. 

He added, “My goal is to protect devolution and ensure resources translate into real change for the people.” 

As campaigns begin to take shape, Nyandiare is betting that his background, political experience and alignment with Raila Odinga’s ideals will resonate with voters seeking continuity and practical leadership in the Senate.

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