In the latest episode of Political Ringside, Patrick Ochieng spoke openly about his bid for the MCA seat in Kadem ward, Uriri constituency in Migori County.
He said the decision was driven by persistent calls from residents of South Kanyam who urged him to step forward and represent them. He made it clear that he is not running just to be on the ballot. His goal is to win and deliver practical results for the people who believe in him. He described the MCA role as a starting point, similar to a small business that begins with modest steps but grows with a bigger vision in mind.
Patrick shared that his journey in community work began in 2019 when he started the Patrick Karzola Foundation after finishing school. Using small earnings, including income from a pool table business, he began supporting people in his area.
The foundation has provided umbrellas to market women to help them continue working during rainy days, supported school fees for some students, and organized empowerment efforts for vulnerable groups.
He said these experiences have helped him understand the daily struggles people face, including poor market conditions, high costs of education for day scholars, and limited access to basic health services. If elected, he plans to focus on these areas and push for practical improvements.
He emphasized that his approach will not involve unnecessary conflict with the county government. Instead, he wants to build working partnerships that can help move projects forward, especially in roads, markets, and health services.
On education, he hopes to find ways to reduce the burden of school fees for families with children in day schools, making learning more accessible.
The discussion also touched on the wider political situation in Nyanza. Patrick described Raila Odinga as a key figure whose influence has shaped the region’s politics for many years. He said that after such strong leadership, it is normal for a period of adjustment to follow.
He noted that younger leaders are now preparing to take on bigger roles. While he supports Orange Democratic Movement, he insisted on the importance of fair and transparent nominations. If the process is not credible, he is open to running as an independent candidate, noting that independent candidates have previously won seats in Migori.
Patrick also spoke against zoning in strong party areas, arguing that it can limit competition and weaken leadership quality. He believes leaders should be chosen based on their ability to deliver results rather than loyalty alone. He added that he supports serving a limited number of terms, saying two terms are enough before giving space for new ideas.
On youth issues, he highlighted unemployment as a major concern. Through his foundation, he has encouraged young people to form groups and start small businesses such as car wash ventures to create income.
He said real change begins at the local level by addressing everyday challenges while also supporting national efforts that benefit the region.
Throughout the interview, Patrick remained direct about the challenges ahead, including campaign costs and strong competition.
He expressed confidence that his record of small but consistent community work will speak for him.
He said he and his team are ready to step forward, change the narrative in the ward, and focus on serving the people.
Political Ringside continues to provide a platform where leaders and aspiring politicians speak openly about their ideas, plans, and challenges.
The show keeps its focus on real issues affecting communities, giving viewers a clear picture of what different leaders stand for and how they intend to serve.
