A new voice has stepped forward in the race for the Kisumu Central parliamentary seat, adding a different dynamic to what is shaping up to be a competitive contest ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Mickey Ochieng, currently serving as a nominated Member of the County Assembly in Kisumu, has announced that she will seek the Kisumu Central parliamentary seat.
Her declaration signals what she describes as a transition from county-level leadership to national politics.
Ochieng says her decision reflects a broader shift where more women are beginning to pursue elective leadership positions that have historically been dominated by men.
“I have served in the county assembly and gained valuable experience in public leadership. The next step is to take that experience to Parliament and serve the people of Kisumu Central at a higher level,” she said.
Her entry places her among a growing number of women across the country preparing to compete for parliamentary seats in 2027.
Political observers say this trend reflects increasing confidence among women leaders who have built experience in county governments, civil society and community organisations.
For Kisumu, women’s leadership in national politics is not entirely new.
In the 1960s, Grace Onyango made history when she became the Member of Parliament for Kisumu Town, then the constituency covering the city area.
Her victory at the time marked a significant milestone for women in Kenyan politics.
Ochieng says that legacy inspires her own political journey.
“Women have led this city before. Grace Onyango proved decades ago that women can lead effectively at the national level. We are now seeing a new generation ready to continue that journey,” she said.
The Kisumu Central seat is currently held by Joshua Odongo Oron, who was elected in the 2022 General Election.
Former legislator Fred Ouda has also indicated interest in the race as the political contest begins to take shape.
Ochieng, however, believes the coming election could signal a shift in the type of leadership voters are willing to embrace.
“My candidature is about showing that leadership is not defined by gender but by vision, integrity and service to the people,” she said.
Beyond politics, Ochieng has been involved in grassroots leadership initiatives through the Mari Mara Foundation, an organisation that runs mentorship and empowerment programmes for women.
Since 2022, more than 200 women have taken part in leadership training programmes organised under the initiative.
Ochieng says the aim is to encourage more women to actively participate in governance and decision-making.
“We cannot talk about inclusive leadership if women remain spectators in politics.
My goal is to inspire more women to step forward and contest for positions,” she said.
She adds that by the time the country heads to the 2027 polls, the programme aims to train hundreds more women in leadership and civic engagement.
As campaigns slowly begin to take shape, Ochieng says her focus will be on presenting what she calls a fresh perspective on representation.
“This is not just a campaign for a seat in Parliament. It is about opening doors so that more women feel confident to compete and lead,” she said.
Her announcement now adds another layer to the developing political contest in Kisumu Central as aspirants position themselves for what is expected to be a closely watched race in 2027.
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