Kenya, 21 December 2025 - Migori County’s race for the governorship is shaping up as a high-stakes contest between the incumbent, Dr Ochilo Ayacko, and a group of determined challengers, including Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, Suna West MP Dr Peter Masara, and business elite Dr Philip Mwabe.
Each candidate is staking their campaign on contrasting visions of leadership, governance, and development, making the county’s electorate face a choice between continuity, change, and alternative approaches to public service.
Governor Ayacko has positioned himself as a steward of continuity, emphasizing the progress his administration has achieved.
He insists that effective governance should be judged by service delivery rather than political theatrics, stating, “Synergy for optimum service delivery is a principle I am fully committed to, as we work towards the prosperity of our county.”
He also dismissed early campaign criticisms from rivals, warning that he will not be distracted by what he called “the mere croak of a frog in the waters,” signaling his focus on tangible outcomes over partisan rhetoric.
Despite his confidence, Ayacko faces criticism over gaps in service delivery, including health infrastructure and road development, which his opponents have seized on as evidence that the county needs fresh leadership.
But Ayacko defends the allegations stating how through his tenure he has built more dispensaries and rural health facilities across the constituencies in the area to boost primary health care.
"These projects are visible. Roads mostly fall under the national government mandate," he explains asking residents not to listen to propaganda peddled by his adversaries and support him to deliver deligent services to wananchi.
Among the challengers, Nyamita has emerged as the most visible and vocal, leveraging a viral campaign slogan, “Ochilo Ayacko bye,” to signal a call for accountability and change.
Nyamita has argued that the slogan is intended as political satire to engage voters, not as personal attack, saying, “If you have nothing to show for your time in office, you should go home. Politics should be like sports — a bit of satire so people enjoy the debate.”
He has been highlighting what he describes as unfulfilled promises in health, education, and infrastructure, pledging to expand access to clean water, strengthen health systems, and improve roads.
His campaign energy and youth-oriented messaging have boosted his visibility, though some critics warn that his theatrics may overshadow the substance of his platform.
For Masara, the Suna West MP, has taken a more measured approach, emphasizing community engagement and disciplined leadership.
He has called on voters to participate actively in shaping the county’s future, stating, “Let me hear from you Migori. Your voice matters.”
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Masara’s narrative revolves around consistent, people-centered service, seeking to position himself as an independent alternative to the dominant party politics.
He appeals to voters who are frustrated with the polarized contest between the incumbent and the high-profile challenger, offering a vision grounded in accountability, civic participation, and practical governance.
For Mwabe, although less visible in mainstream media, has maintained a long-term ambition for the governorship, focusing on the county’s economic potential.
He has argued that Migori must harness its resources, including minerals and cross-border trade, to drive development, declaring, “Migori has great potential to develop… we must harness resources like gold, copper and cross-border trade.”
His campaign emphasizes industrial growth, workforce training, and long-term economic planning, appealing to voters looking beyond immediate infrastructure to structural solutions that could transform the county’s economic landscape.
The contest has not been without tension. Political gatherings have sometimes sparked clashes among supporters, and regional authorities have called for tolerance and restraint.
Candidates must balance assertive campaigning with maintaining public order, particularly in a county known for its passionate electorate.
The race is thus as much about political strategy and public perception as it is about governance policies.
As the election approaches, Migori voters face a defining choice.
Ayacko offers experience and continuity, Nyamita campaigns on accountability and change, Masara emphasises steady and inclusive leadership, and Mwabe highlights economic transformation.
The electorate will weigh the record of performance against the promise of fresh leadership, determining whether Migori continues on its current trajectory or embraces a new vision for governance and development.
This race is set to be a referendum on both leadership style and tangible outcomes, making it one of the most closely watched contests in the region.

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