The Kisumu gubernatorial seat is undoubtedly the most paramount executive seat in the entire Luo Nyanza region, considering that the county is the capital of the entire region.
Therefore, whoever occupies the seat comes out as the super Governor and the region's outer image which has 3 others in Migori, Siaya and Homa Bay counties.
However, the seat is surrounded by some sort of politics and to get it, one has to master the game and how to run around marshalling support to boost their bid.
The seat goes to the person who manages to get the most support in the surrounding regions and Luo subtribes living within the county.
One has to ensure that the subtribes of Kisumu, Kano, Nyakatch, Seme, Kajulu and the mixture of people inhabiting the urban Kisumu city itself, contribute something to their basket.
In addition, one has to please these people and give promises touching on their lives, for instance, clean water for city dwellers and more sugar and rice factories for Kano people.
It also has something to do with where the candidate and their running mate comes from.
For instance, current Governor Anyang' Nyong'o is a native of Seme and his running mate Mathews Owilli hailing from Nyakatch, towards the South Eastern end of the City.
This enabled the two to get the most votes from these regions and collect more from the others using their backers, most of whom are also politicians.
In the 2017 elections, Nyong'o received very small support from Kano which also had its son in the name of former Governor Jack Ranguma in the race.
You also have to hail from his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) or face a terrible loss in the hands of the ODM ticket holder, thanks to Raila's diehard supporters.
Finally and most importantly, one's chances heavily rely on his closeness with opposition leader Raila Odinga, the Luo Nyanza defacto kingpin who calls the shots there.
That is why, unfortunately, most seats in Kisumu are not won by people who offer the best development ideas but those appearing closer to Raila.
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