Here is the Only Elected Independent MCA Candidate in Kisumu

After beating all odds to win a ward representative position, a peasant farmer from a remote community in Kisumu is still beaming.

Billy Odhiambo, of Rabuor in the Nyando sub-county, ran as an independent against the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) hegemony in the county to represent Kobura ward.

The incumbent John Obura (ODM) and five other candidates were up against the 29-year-old.

According to the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission’s figures, Mr Odhiambo received 7,460 votes against Mr Obura’s 4,542.

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“I want to thank my people for believing in me and promise to do my best to fulfill my promises to them,” Mr Odhiambo is quoted by the Nation.

Mr Odhiambo will automatically be elected as the assembly minority leader because he is the only elected independent MCA in the Kisumu county assembly.

This will be the youth leader’s first official job, he said. He has been a farmer since earning a bachelor’s degree in strategic management from Moi University in 2017.

He has been growing tomatoes and watermelons, and used some of his earnings to pursue his master’s degree which he is yet to complete.

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He assured the electorate that he will introduce a rice miller and upgrading irrigation schemes and ensuring piped water gets to farms.

Additionally, he has pledged to see to it that young people without jobs are given money to start enterprises and placement in support groups while others are offered employment in agriculture and other sectors of the economy.

“I am also planning to upgrade our Early Childhood Development Education classrooms with a fully sponsored feeding programme for the children,” he said.

Mr Odhiambo stated that whereas his rivals had plenty of money to give to their supporters, he tossed himself into the murky world of politics without any money.

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“I began my campaigns three years ago, visiting people from door to door and sharing with them my dream to represent them at the county assembly,” he said.

He bought a motorbike with the help of friends, which he used for months to get around.

“During every meeting, I would make them aware that I had no funds to give out, but I was willing to listen to their grievances and help whenever possible. What was important was my vision to them” he added.

He received financial support from well-wishers and political allies, and he used the funds to help the less fortunate or to support local projects.

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However, Mr Odhiambo was among the ODM party candidates floored by Obura in the primaries.

He asserted that although he had won, the incumbent MCA had been given the ticket out of party loyalty.

But his supporters’ commitment to stand by him saw him pursue his goal as an independent candidate.

“They called me for a meeting where they had already raised some funds and asked me to go round the ward in a car they had hired for me to inform the residents that I was still vying,” he said.

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He now intends to complete his business administration master’s degree at Nairobi University.

With the backing of his people, he is also planning to run for higher political positions in the future.