Susan Okwirry is emblematic of a new generation of county leaders—grounded in community realities, equipped with academic and professional expertise, and determined to drive meaningful change across all social strata. Her educational ascent, from Siaya County’s primary and secondary schools to her higher education in procurement and commerce, demonstrates a passion for learning that has fueled her approach to responsive, transparent governance.
Susan’s path to leadership began with passionate organizing in Nairobi within the Orange Democratic Movement’s youth and women’s leagues. Bringing lessons from Kenya’s national political stage, she refocused her energy at the county level, winning the West Gem Ward seat as an independent—a testament to her connection with constituents that transcends party politics. Her subsequent re-election under ODM further solidified her reputation and the faith placed in her by her community.
Her journey in leadership is marked by a refusal to be limited by persistent gender barriers. In Siaya, as across Kenya, women continue to face social and institutional obstacles—including limited financial resources for campaigns, cultural expectations prioritizing male leaders, and the demands of balancing public and private life. Susan has not only overcome these challenges but become a vocal advocate encouraging other women to persist and participate, not just in seeking office, but also in influencing policy, supporting grassroots initiatives, and effecting legislative change.
In the Siaya County Assembly, Susan leverages her role as Vice Chairperson of the Budget & Appropriations Committee to direct resources toward inclusive growth. She helps shape and review county budgets, ensuring projects are people-centered and targeted at the most pressing needs: rural development, women’s economic empowerment, and accessible education. Her additional responsibilities as Organizing Secretary of the County Assemblies Forum have broadened her influence nationally, providing networks and platforms through which she advocates for best practices in devolution and inclusivity.
Susan’s leadership is most visible in her community-driven approach. Her educational sponsorship programs—supplying uniforms, bursaries, and mentorship—have delivered real benefits to hundreds of children and youth. These interventions are further amplified in Siaya County through flagship initiatives such as the DREAMS Program, which has supported nearly 4,000 adolescent girls and young women with education subsidies, vocational training, and access to health and social services. Such projects tackle underlying causes of school dropout, vulnerability to exploitation, and economic marginalization.
The county’s youth face significant barriers, with unemployment and lack of opportunity central among them. In response, Siaya County has implemented a forward-looking Youth Service Bill, establishing affirmative action plans, training, and job placement to combat youth unemployment and poverty. Programs like “Jitume, Jijitambulishe, Jiajiri” engage over a hundred youth at a time, promoting personal development, digital skills, entrepreneurship, and sustained professional mentorship—paralleling Susan’s own vision for the next generation of leaders and wage-earners. The Youth Agribusiness Strategy specifically targets engagement of 7,500 youth (at least 40% of whom are women) in the agri-food sector, offering skills training and support for youth entrepreneurship.
For women’s empowerment, Siaya County is home to a range of dynamic community projects. The Siaya Muungano Network advances women’s rights, especially for young mothers and widows, building their confidence, increasing access to family planning, property rights, and economic opportunity. Projects like “Women Voices in Climate Action and Governance” support grassroots women in advocating for their interests in decision-making around climate resilience and environmental sustainability. These align with Susan’s championing of systemic reforms and practical support for the most vulnerable in society.
Susan’s understanding of rural economies, honed through her agrovet business experience, allows her to advocate for sustainable agriculture, improved value addition, and expanded market access. With the Siaya County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP 2023–2027) aiming to double agricultural output and drive major infrastructural upgrades, her skills and commitment are well matched to county priorities. The CIDP’s ambitious job creation, health improvement, and urban modernization goals are underpinned by Susan’s advocacy for participatory governance—a recurring theme in her direct engagement with local groups and forums.
Her philosophy of leadership combines resilience, inclusion, and proactive listening. By remaining approachable and rooted in her community, she crafts policy that reflects the lived realities of her constituents. Her campaign for Women Representative powerfully illustrates the necessity and advantages of gender parity in decision-making, not just for fairness, but for improved outcomes in service delivery and development.
The 2027 Siaya electoral competition is shaping up to be dynamic. Despite national statistics of women’s underrepresentation—with only three women retaining MCA seats in the most recent election and few advancing to National Assembly or Senate—Susan stands as a beacon of possibility. Her legislative accomplishments, national advocacy, and unbreakable community bonds make her a formidable candidate focused not on divisive politicking, but on practical solutions to unemployment, poverty, and exclusion.
Moreover, Siaya is undergoing a broader social and economic transformation, with active support from international and local organizations. Whether it’s the DREAMS program’s outreach to over 10,000 girls in a year, or networks supporting youth entrepreneurship and healthy family planning, these efforts create an enabling environment in which Susan’s agenda can genuinely thrive.
Susan Okwirry’s emergence as a leading candidate for Women Representative in 2027 is much more than a personal achievement; it’s a symbol of Siaya’s readiness to embrace a future of inclusive growth, gender equity, and sustained progress. With her legislative expertise, hands-on community impact, and alignment with visionary county priorities, she promises to deliver not just representation, but real empowerment and transformative results for women, youth, and all marginalized groups in Siaya County.
James Kilonzo Bwire is a Media and communication practitioner.
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