The Ugunja by-election, long dominated by male political heavyweights, is experiencing a potential shift with the historic candidacy of Lilian Akinyi Aketch, the only woman in the race.
Her campaign carries a message of hope and development, resonating with voters eager for fresh leadership and inclusivity.
Lilian, the only candidate from Sigomere Ward, is positioning herself as a figure capable of bridging the gap between grassroots needs and national development.
At the core of her campaign is a focus on education, healthcare, and youth empowerment.
She has promised to upgrade school infrastructure, increase bursaries for needy students, and strengthen mentorship programs to keep children in school.
In healthcare, she intends to expand local clinics, improve maternal services, and broaden access to medical insurance for vulnerable families.
Infrastructure and access to clean water are also central to her agenda.
She aims to lobby for improved roads, boreholes, rural electrification, and better support for farmers through access to fertilizers, irrigation, and markets.
Her manifesto also stresses youth and women empowerment, proposing vocational programs, start-up support for youth-led businesses, and the establishment of women empowerment centres to tackle gender disparities and access to reproductive health education.
Lilian also underscores the importance of inclusion for persons with disabilities, pledging to improve accessibility, provide assistive devices, and create opportunities for skills development and entrepreneurship.
With a track record as the former national chairperson of Warembo na Raila, Lilian brings experience in grassroots mobilization, advocacy, and securing community projects.
Her leadership has previously concentrated on initiatives such as supporting children’s homes, maternity centres, and programs for young women across the country.
If elected, Lilian Akinyi Aketch would become the first woman to hold a parliamentary seat in Siaya County since independence.
Her campaign reflects a broader vision of Ugunja as a constituency ready for inclusive development, stronger infrastructure, and a more participatory political culture, signaling a potential new chapter in its political history.
