About

Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o assumed office in August 2017. He has spearheaded significant improvements in urban infrastructure financing, strengthened county urban institutions, and facilitated the integration of processes for county plans. He initiated a comprehensive urban spatial planning strategy to bolster economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability in collaboration with the national government and other stakeholders. His leadership has prompted various projects aimed at revitalizing the county after years of neglect.

The Governor currently serves at the Council of Governors in Kenya as the Chairperson of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Committee, a position he has utilized very well to compel the national government to strengthen devolution in Kenya by transferring devolved functions as envisioned in the Schedule Four of the constitution of Kenya.

Previously, Prof. Nyong’o held various prominent positions, including representing Kisumu Rural in the National Assembly for 20 years, becoming Kisumu County’s inaugural Senator in 2013, and serving as a Cabinet Minister for Economic Planning and National Development from 2003 to 2005, as well as
a Cabinet Minister for Medical Services from 2008 to 2013. Notably, during his tenure as Minister for Planning & National Development, he introduced the Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation (ERS), significantly boosting Kenya’s national economy. This provided the foundation for Vision 2030 – a blueprint for Kenya’s development since then.

Prof. Nyong’o holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Chicago and has taught at several renowned institutions. He has authored multiple books and articles on democracy, democratisation, and the political economy of development in Africa. He was honored with the German-African Award in 1995 for his contribution to democracy and democratisation in Africa and recently served as a Gro Harlem Brundland Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health.