Former Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma has received the backing of Luo elders to make another bid for the county’s top seat in the 2027 elections. Faith Matete Former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma has received the backing of Kano elders to make another bid for the county’s top seat in the 2027 elections.
The elders endorsed Ranguma during a gathering at Nambokana Grounds in Kisumu, setting the former governor on a potential political comeback after nearly a decade out of the county’s executive leadership.
Ranguma served as Kisumu’s first governor from 2013 to 2017 before losing his re-election bid to Anyang’ Nyong’o.
Addressing the gathering, Ranguma said he was seeking another opportunity to implement an agenda he believed had been disrupted during his first term.
He identified access to clean water, agriculture and the revival of cooperative societies as key areas he would prioritise if elected.
“My dream was interrupted, but it was never extinguished. I still believe Kisumu can rise through sustainable development and empower its people,” Ranguma said.
The endorsement comes as political activity in Kisumu gathers pace ahead of the 2027 elections, with several politicians expected to position themselves for the governor race.
Ranguma’s return to the political contest would add another layer to what is likely to be a closely watched race, given his experience as the county’s first governor.
Ranguma, who currently serves as chairman of the Sacco Society Regulatory Authority (SASRA), told the elders that Kisumu needed leadership focused on improving livelihoods rather than political rhetoric.
He said investment in water infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, would improve household welfare while supporting agriculture and other economic activities.
Ranguma also pledged to strengthen cooperative societies, which he said could provide farmers and other small-scale producers with better access to markets and financial opportunities.
The elders said their endorsement was informed by what they described as Ranguma’s development agenda and experience in county leadership.
They urged residents to consider leaders who, they said, could address persistent challenges affecting communities across the county.
The endorsement, however, is only the beginning of what is expected to be a competitive political battle ahead of 2027, with the final field likely to emerge as parties settle on their candidates.
For Ranguma, the backing gives fresh impetus to his bid to return to the county’s political leadership, 10 years after he left office.
His challenge will now be to translate the elders’ endorsement into wider political support across the county as he seeks a second chance at the governor’s seat.
