Kisumu, just like all the other towns and cities, was ran by mayors and town clerks since independence, until the come of the 2010 constitution which altered the system.
After a series of white mayors, the city had its first African mayor in 1957, who was followed by several others, some of whom were kicked out by the government when it deemed necessary.
However, Oselu Nyalik became the mayor whose leadership was marred with too much problems, which saw the residents force the government send him packing before the lapse of his term.
His leadership was marred with a deterioration of operations at the City Hall in 1992, resulting in workers going unpaid and clients issued with fake cheques, which irked the residents.
This angered residents, who bought a coffin, dressed like mourners and paraded in front of the city hall, wailing and mourning their "dead" mayor, in protest against his leadership.
In 1993, the government replaced the mayor with Lilian Akinyi Oile, who served until 2000, when the hall housed the first Asian mayor, Shakeel Shabir.
Shabbir is currently serving his second term Kisumu East Member of Parliament on an independent ticket.
The 2010 constitution also scrapped off the Town Clerk position, with several mayors of towns now being replaced by the Governor, who run bigger locations and have more powers.