Mathew Owili is currently leading the Kisumu County governor race with 16.6 percent support, according to the latest Mwelekeo Insights poll.
Rozaah Buyu follows closely in second place with 15.4 percent, while Tom Ojienda and Ken Obura are tied at 14 percent each. The survey shows a tight contest at the top, with Ruth Odinga at 11.1 percent and Joshua Oron at 10.2 percent.
Jack Ranguma stands at 9.4 percent, Aduma Owuor at 7.7 percent, and other candidates combined take 1.6 percent. These figures suggest that no single candidate has a clear advantage yet, and the race remains wide open as the 2026 elections approach.
A Close Race With Many Contenders
The Kisumu governor contest is drawing attention because of the number of strong candidates involved. Each of the top contenders has a reasonable chance of winning if they can convince more voters to support them.
The gap between first and second place is small, which means even a slight shift in public opinion could change the rankings.
Candidates like Tom Ojienda and Ken Obura, both sitting at 14 percent, are in a position to climb higher if they gain momentum. The poll results show that voters are still making up their minds, and many candidates are still introducing themselves to the public.
What stands out in this poll is how divided the support is across the candidates.
No one is close to getting a majority, which means the winner will likely need to build strong alliances and reach out to supporters of other candidates. Local politics in Kisumu has always been lively, and this race is no exception.
Residents are paying close attention to what each candidate promises, especially on issues like jobs, healthcare, and infrastructure. The candidate who can connect best with ordinary voters will have an edge.
What This Means for the Campaign
For the candidates, this poll sends a clear message: they need to work harder to win over undecided voters. Mathew Owili will want to protect his small lead and build on it, while Rozaah Buyu will be looking for ways to close the gap and move ahead. Those further down in the rankings still have time to improve their standing.
With the election still some distance away, there is plenty of room for change. Campaigns will need to focus on grassroots engagement and direct contact with voters rather than relying only on big rallies. The poll also shows that local residents are ready to listen to different voices, and they are not locked into any single candidate.
Mwelekeo Insights continues to offer useful view of public opinion, helping voters and candidates see where things really stand.
In a similar vein, its recent poll on the Nairobi gubernatorial contest showed just how tight a race can be Babu Owino (22.4%) and Agnes Kagure (22.3%) were separated by a mere 0.1 percentage points.
That kind of near-deadlock proves that voters are still weighing their options, and small shifts in sentiment can change everything.
For Kisumu, the message from this Mwelekeo Insights poll is just as clear: the race is still open, and every vote will matter.
Candidates have the opportunity to change the narrative if they run smart campaigns and stay connected to the people.
Voters, on their part, have a responsibility to follow the issues closely and make informed choices.
In the end, the decision belongs to the people of Kisumu, and their voice will shape the future of the county.
