For decades, Migori County’s political landscape has largely been the preserve of men. From parliamentary seats to the county’s top leadership, women have struggled to break into the upper echelons of elective politics despite constituting more than half of the county’s population.
Now, one woman is attempting to rewrite that narrative.
Dr. Pamela Odhiambo, the only woman to publicly declare her bid for the Migori gubernatorial seat on the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket ahead of the 2027 General Election, is steadily gaining momentum as women across the county rally behind what they describe as a long-overdue opportunity to shatter the county’s entrenched male political dominance.
Her campaign has evolved beyond a personal political ambition into what many supporters now portray as a movement for women’s political emancipation in a county where every governor, senator and most MPs have historically been men.
Political analysts observe that while Migori politics has traditionally revolved around ethnic arithmetic, political patronage and well-established male networks, Dr. Odhiambo’s candidature introduces a fresh conversation centred on inclusive leadership, professional management and gender representation.
Women demand their turn
Across Migori’s eight constituencies—Rongo, Awendo, Uriri, Suna East, Suna West, Kuria East, Kuria West and Nyatike—women interviewed expressed growing frustration over decades of exclusion from the county’s highest political office.
“We have voted for men since the advent of devolution, but many of the challenges affecting women remain unresolved. We now want one of our own to sit at the decision-making table,” said Mary Atieno, a trader in Awendo.
“We are not supporting Dr. Pamela simply because she is a woman. We are supporting her because she combines education, experience and compassion. But equally important, she represents hope that women can also lead Migori,” she added.
In Rongo, community mobiliser Jane Achieng’ argued that the county’s leadership needs a different approach.
“Politics should no longer be viewed as a preserve for men. Women understand the struggles facing households, healthcare, education and youth unemployment because we experience them daily.”
Breaking decades of political tradition
Since the introduction of county governments in 2013, Migori has been governed exclusively by men.
The county’s politics has been characterised by fierce competition among influential male politicians backed by powerful political machines, extensive campaign financing and long-established grassroots networks.
Dr. Odhiambo’s emergence therefore represents one of the boldest attempts by a woman to penetrate the county’s highest elective office.
Her supporters argue that the county now requires technocratic leadership capable of improving service delivery, restoring public confidence in county institutions and accelerating economic transformation.
“We have tried the old style of politics. Perhaps it is time we tried leadership based on competence rather than political muscle,” said Roseline Nyaboke, a youth mentor from Suna West.
Riding on the UDA wave
Unlike previous female aspirants who often operated on the political fringes, Dr. Odhiambo is banking on the organisational machinery of the ruling UDA party.
Her allies believe the party’s national visibility, coupled with ongoing government development projects across Migori, could strengthen her appeal among voters seeking closer collaboration between the county government and the national administration.
UDA has in recent years intensified efforts to expand its political footprint in the traditionally ODM-dominated Nyanza region, positioning leaders such as Dr. Odhiambo as part of its broader strategy to reshape the region’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
Political observers note that while the party still faces stiff competition in Migori, fielding a female gubernatorial candidate allows UDA to project itself as championing inclusivity while appealing to women and young professionals.
Campaign anchored on service delivery
Throughout her early campaign engagements, Dr. Odhiambo has consistently framed her bid around improving healthcare, strengthening agricultural value chains, empowering women and youth, improving urban planning and enhancing accountability in county government.
She argues that effective leadership should be measured not by political rhetoric but by the quality of services delivered to ordinary citizens.
“Our county has enormous potential in agriculture, trade, fisheries and tourism. What has been lacking is leadership that puts the people first. My mission is to build an inclusive, accountable and prosperous Migori where every resident has an equal opportunity to succeed,” Dr. Odhiambo said during a recent grassroots engagement.
A symbol beyond politics
For many women, Dr. Odhiambo’s campaign represents more than an electoral contest.
“I want my daughter to grow up knowing that she can become governor if she wants,” said Grace Adhiambo, a businesswoman in Uriri.
“For many years politics in Migori has looked like a men’s club. Dr. Pamela is proving that women also belong at the highest decision-making table.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Esther Moraa, a farmer from Kuria West.
“If women can successfully manage families, businesses and institutions, they can certainly govern a county.”
An uphill battle ahead
Despite growing enthusiasm among sections of women voters, political analysts caution that Dr. Odhiambo faces a formidable challenge.
Migori politics remains intensely competitive, with established male politicians enjoying extensive grassroots structures, significant financial resources and longstanding political influence.
She must also convince voters that gender alone is insufficient and that her policy agenda offers a compelling alternative capable of addressing unemployment, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and economic growth.
Nevertheless, her supporters insist that the campaign has already achieved something significant by changing the conversation.
“What started as one woman’s ambition has become a movement for political inclusion,” said Mary Atieno. “Whether she wins or not, Migori women have found a voice.”
As the race toward the 2027 gubernatorial contest gathers momentum, Dr. Pamela Odhiambo’s candidature is increasingly being viewed not merely as another political campaign, but as a defining test of whether Migori County is ready to entrust its highest office to a woman after decades of male-dominated leadership.
About the Author
