Kisumu governor aspirant Rogers Okeya wants the county to explore its oil potential and channel the proceeds into an education fund that would support learners from early childhood education (ECD) through university.

The proposed fund would also support students seeking opportunities to study abroad.

Okeya argued that investing in education would provide future generations with lasting benefits that extend far beyond the lifespan of finite oil resources.

He unveiled the proposal as part of a five-point development agenda under his “Designing Kisumu” initiative during a meeting with residents from the county’s seven sub-counties on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Okeya stated that Kisumu’s development challenges cannot be addressed without confronting poverty, which he linked directly to unemployment, insecurity, and other social issues.

“The main problem we have in Kisumu is poverty. Poverty leads to so many problems that we face as a county, the problem of unemployment, the problem of gun violence in Kisumu, the problem of insecurity, and many other problems stem from the poverty issue in Kisumu,” he said.

He proposed a shift toward long-term investments that build the capacity of residents instead of relying solely on conventional development projects.

“We should develop Kisumu’s oil resources and use the revenues to expand educational opportunities from ECD to university, including study opportunities anywhere in the world,” he said.

Oil wealth and future generations

Okeya argued that oil revenues should be used to build intellectual capital, noting that while petroleum resources are finite, education creates a lasting legacy across generations.

“If we are to utilize this oil effectively, let’s use it to build our intellectual capital as a region. Our intellectual capital will be a permanent asset that will benefit us for generations to come,” he said.

He also called for Kisumu to be included in national discussions on oil exploration and the equitable distribution of petroleum revenues.

“I would like the people of Kisumu to receive a fair share of the national oil revenue,” he said.

The aspirant emphasized that the county should engage both the national government and multinational companies to assess and develop its resource potential, highlighting water as another key asset available to Kisumu.

“My first proposal is that Kisumu be included in the national oil conversation. Kisumu must work with the national government and multinational companies to explore the resources we have,” he said.

SGR extension and local economic gains

Beyond oil and education, Okeya prioritized infrastructure, citing the ongoing Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension linking Naivasha, Kisumu, and Malaba.

He noted that President William Ruto had presided over the project’s groundbreaking, emphasizing that the railway should create tangible opportunities for local communities along its route.

“The President of the Republic of Kenya has already broken ground for the construction of the SGR, which will extend from Naivasha through Kisumu to Malaba,” he said.

Okeya stressed that infrastructure investments must deliver direct economic benefits to the local population rather than merely serving as completed government projects.

“When we build a road, let that road be useful to the people of Kisumu. When we build a railway, let that railway benefit the people of Kisumu first. When we utilize the lake, let the lake bring direct benefits to our people,” he said.

He added that his five-point agenda was informed by extensive consultations involving representatives from all 35 wards, including youth, women, persons with disabilities, business leaders, and clan elders.