Former Citizen Convention Party (CCP) leader Grace Akumu has joined the race for Kisumu County Woman Representative on Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket.
Ms Akumu in August last year ditched CCP, before rejoining ODM two months later.
In an interview with Lake Region Bulletin on Tuesday, Ms Akumu indicated that she rejoined ODM in a bid to help consolidate
“I left CCP because it was high time that I join the people. I took the words of my current party leader seriously. He has assured that nominations which have been affecting mostly women and youth and nobody will be crying foul,” said Akumu.
Akumu indicated that her candidature is pegged on actualizing economic empowerment for all, especially those in the agricultural sector.
Akumu noted that despite the financial allocation to the office of the Woman Representative, she would focus more on resource mobilization through her networks.
“The Sh6 million per constituency allocated to the office is not enough. Apart from resource mobilization from within and outside the country, I will also try to push for reforms to ensure the allocation to the Woman Representative is boosted,” said Akumu.
Akumu will have to battle it out with the current office holder Rosa Buyu if she chooses to defend the seat, and former Kisumu County Government Tourism Executive Dr Rose Kisia for the seat.
Akumu urged Kisumu voters to support her bid, saying despite not having held any political position, she has been working with the communities on road and water projects.
“Agribusiness is becoming the biggest employer, and we want to invest a lot of money in this. We need to have innovative ways of doing agriculture, and also networking the farmers with businesses within and outside the country,” she said.