Jakakimba vows to ‘step into the breach’ as Suba North 2027 race heats up

The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party’s Homa Bay County Secretary Silas Jakakimba has intensified his political push in Suba North, declaring that he is ready to “step into the breach” and provide what he describes as renewed leadership, coordination and grassroots development ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, Jakakimba - who held numerous meeting with President William Ruto in New York - said his experience and relationships within the broad-based government framework had positioned him to engage with different levels of government in pursuit of development for the people of Suba North and Homa Bay County.

The former aide to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga accused the incumbent Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo of undermining cooperation within the region's political and development structures — allegations that form part of an increasingly competitive political contest in the constituency.

Jakakimba particularly pointed to what he described as recent public disagreements involving Hon Odhiambo and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, arguing that political differences should not derail development efforts.

“We are boldly stepping into that leadership void to provide the much-needed direction,” Jakakimba said.

The Suba North parliamentary hopeful said his focus would be on bringing together grassroots residents, political leaders and other stakeholders around what he termed the “language that matters most” — development.

He said his proposed approach would involve continuous consultations with wananchi and stakeholders while lobbying both county and national government structures for projects and opportunities benefiting residents.

Jakakimba's message comes as the Suba North political contest gathers momentum, with the aspirant increasingly taking his campaign to villages and wards across the constituency. Recent reports indicate he has been conducting grassroots engagements in Gembe, Rusinga, Kasgunga, Mfangano and Lambwe.

His political pitch has increasingly centred on economic empowerment, fishing, agriculture, education, infrastructure and the blue economy with questions on how the broad-based balance act will play between the two.

Jakakimba said Suba North requires leadership capable of connecting grassroots concerns with decision-making structures at the county and national levels.

He framed his message around three key words: Unity, Access and Development.

“The people deserve leadership that is present at the grassroots and has access at the table,” he noted.

Jakakimba has been positioning himself as a candidate capable of leveraging his experience and national political networks to attract development opportunities to Suba North.

He joined UDA in March 2024 after years of working with Raila Odinga and subsequently declared his intention to contest the Suba North parliamentary seat.

As the 2027 race takes shape, the contest is increasingly shifting from political declarations to grassroots mobilisation, with development, access to government and local political alliances emerging as key themes.