Ogra Foundation Director Dr Hezron Makobewa has called for proper leadership to pull out the locals from poverty and common diseases.
Dr Makobewa said proper leadership will attract investors to start investment projects in the area.
He said lack of employment will be reversed only if locals exercise their rights during elections.
He said his foundation has worked hard to bridge the gap in education, health and water.
“Our people are suffering because of bad leadership and I want to appeal to you to make wise decisions in 2017,” he said.
Speaking during a public forum at Nyalenda slums in Kisumu on Sunday, Dr Makobewa called upon the locals to pull as a team to be able to surmount some of the challenges affecting them.
He told the locals to be wary of people who are going round buying votes.
“Don’t sell your votes for just Sh500, your vote reflects your destiny,” he said.
He said that every vote is capable of bringing desired change in the society, and warned residents against disposing their cards for money.
He also said IEBC offices are still open at the constituency level and called upon those who failed to registered during the mass registration exercise to come out and register as voters.
Dr Makobewa, seen as a front runner in the Kisumu gubernatorial seat in 2017 remains the darling of the youth.