Advocate of the High Court Joshua Nyamori officially declared his intention to vie for the Kisumu Central constituency. Faith Matete 
Beatrice Amondi vying for the Kisumu women's representative position. Faith Matete The race for the Kisumu Central parliamentary seat has gained another contender after Advocate of the High Court Joshua Nyamori officially declared his intention to vie for the constituency in the 2027 General Election.
Nyamori, a social justice advocate and founder of the citizen movement Kisumu Rise, announced his bid during a public town hall meeting that brought together more than 400 grassroots leaders drawn from neighbourhoods, markets and informal settlements across Kisumu Central.
His entry adds to an increasingly competitive field that already includes former MP Fred Ouda, businessman Edward Onyango, Kondole MCA Joachim Oketch, Kisumu County Education Chief Officer Bovince Ochieng and businessman Abdul Omar.
Speaking during the forum, Nyamori said he had accepted calls from residents to seek the parliamentary seat, promising to champion accountable leadership and people-centred development.
"I am humbled to respond to the demand of the residents that I contest for the Kisumu Central parliamentary seat. I assure them that I will be on the ballot in 2027 as part of a team determined to transform leadership and governance in Kisumu," he said.
Nyamori said the Kisumu Rise movement was formed after residents became frustrated by what they described as the county government's failure to address persistent challenges affecting the city.
He cited insecurity, inadequate street lighting, flooding in residential estates, poor waste management, deteriorating business infrastructure and market mismanagement among the key issues facing residents.
According to Nyamori, the movement has successfully used public interest litigation to compel the county government to install street lights in some areas and to protect tenants in estates such as Arina, Mosque and Argwings from what he termed unlawful eviction attempts.
The town hall meeting reviewed the movement's achievements and identified new priorities for action.
Among the resolutions adopted were continued advocacy for improved security through expanded street lighting, legal action to compel better solid waste management, and court action to force the county government to disclose details of pending bills amounting to about Sh5.8 billion.
The participants also demanded that genuine contractors and suppliers owed money by the county be paid promptly while those responsible for misappropriation of public funds be held accountable.
The forum further resolved to push for greater civic awareness on the distinct roles of the national and county governments, saying many residents continue to confuse the responsibilities of the two levels of government.
Nyamori said the movement also intends to identify and support candidates for elective positions ranging from Members of County Assembly to governor and senator whom residents believe can better represent their interests.
During the meeting, participants also endorsed Beatrice Amondi as their preferred candidate for the Kisumu Woman Representative seat.
Amondi said the engagement provided residents with an opportunity to openly discuss challenges affecting the constituency and propose practical solutions.
She said insecurity remains a major concern but noted that advocacy efforts by the movement had already prompted improvements in street lighting in parts of the city.
She also cited affordable housing projects implemented by the national government as among initiatives that have created employment opportunities for residents.
Amondi criticised the county government's growing pending bills, saying contractors and suppliers deserve a clear payment schedule and greater accountability over public expenditure.
"The issue of pending bills has become a major concern. We need accountability and transparency on how public resources are being utilised," she said.
The meeting also expressed support for President William Ruto's administration, with participants saying they would back his re-election bid in 2027, citing ongoing national government development projects in Kisumu.
Nyamori's declaration sets the stage for what is expected to be a highly contested battle for the Kisumu Central seat as political realignments begin ahead of the 2027 General Election.
