Dongruokwa!
Social Protection:
Every resident of Siaya deserves to live with dignity, safety, and equal opportunity. My administration will champion the strengthening of social protection programs, improving access to justice, and ensuring no one is left behind
Economic Empowerment:
A prosperous Siaya begins with empowered people. I will prioritize education, practical skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities
Community Development:
My commitment is to build resilient communities that thrive through sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship
I pledge to "Leave No One Behind."
Empowering women, Supporting youth, Building communities and Transforming Siaya
01. Protection of the rights and interests of the elderly
In the short term, I will champion the registration and creation of a comprehensive database of elderly persons across all wards in Siaya County. This exercise will be conducted through a coordinated grassroots census involving local youth working closely with the local administration to ensure that every elderly person is identified and their needs are documented. Having an accurate database will enable targeted support, informed planning, and effective delivery of essential services. In the medium and long term, I will advocate for the establishment of rescue and care centers for vulnerable elderly persons while promoting programs that enhance their dignity, health, and social well-being. I will also organize an annual Elderly Appreciation Day to recognize their invaluable contribution to society, facilitate regular recreational and outdoor activities to promote active and healthy living, and support food distribution and welfare initiatives spearheaded by women and youth groups to ensure our senior citizens live with dignity, care, and respect.
02. Protection of the rights and interests of the reformed ex-convicts
Restoration of Dignity and Reintegration for Reformed Ex-Convicts I believe that every individual deserves a second chance to rebuild their life with dignity and purpose. I will champion a comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration approach that strengthens coordination between correctional institutions, community organizations, and the private sector to support successful re-entry into society. This will include expanding vocational training in market-driven skills such as welding, coding, and culinary arts while in prison, establishing partnerships with employers committed to fair-chance hiring, and providing entrepreneurship training and access to microloans to help former inmates start and sustain their own businesses. Additionally, I will promote peer mentorship programs that connect reformed ex-convicts with successful role models and support family reunification through counseling and community-based initiatives that rebuild trust and strengthen social bonds. To ensure long-term reintegration and equal opportunities, I will advocate for policies that remove unnecessary barriers to employment, including promoting fair hiring practices that focus on skills rather than criminal history. I will also support legal aid services to assist with record expungement where applicable, restoration of civic rights, and resolution of family-related legal matters. Furthermore, I will champion access to education by expanding in-prison learning opportunities, including secondary and tertiary education, while establishing scholarship and financial support programs that enable former inmates to continue their education after release. Through these initiatives, we can reduce recidivism, restore hope, strengthen families, and transform former offenders into productive contributors to society.
03. Support education and skills development through strengthening community-based learning initiatives
I will champion education and skills development by establishing an Education and Skills Advisory Council comprising respected elders, influential mothers, progressive teachers, youth leaders, and local business owners to guide community-driven learning initiatives. I will advocate for the construction of special dormitories for young mothers and their infants, enabling them to continue their education and pursue their dreams without interruption. To ensure sustainable learning opportunities, I will push for the creation of a **Community Learning Fund** within the county and ward budgets to support community-based organizations offering tutoring, mentorship, and vocational skills programs. Additionally, I will organize an annual **Community Skills Festival** to showcase local talent, host competitions, and recognize outstanding achievements through awards and certifications. My vision is to transform the way we view education—from something confined to classrooms to a lifelong, community-wide responsibility. By making the entire community a center for learning, we will not only equip people with practical skills but also strengthen social cohesion, preserve our cultural heritage, and build a resilient, self-reliant local economy.
04. Economic empowerment for women and youth-led businesses
I will champion the economic empowerment of women and youth by establishing targeted programs and platforms that leverage continental trade opportunities to expand networking, skills development, and access to finance. My leadership will focus on systematically addressing financial barriers by advocating for partnerships with local and international funding initiatives that support entrepreneurship and business growth. Additionally, I will work to build an enabling business ecosystem by promoting policies that strengthen both digital and physical infrastructure for rural enterprises, recognizing that empowering women economically not only drives inclusive development but also contributes to reducing long-term gender-based violence.
05. Promote climate resilience through enhancing smart agriculture initiatives
Data has revealed that 96.5% of farmers are not resilient to climate shocks, citing major gaps in economic, social, and technical resilience - ensuring equitable access to resources and supporting local innovation in agriculture - Partner with research institutions, NGOs, and the private sector. These partnerships can facilitate training, provide technology, and help link farmers to markets for climate-resilient produce - Highlight and support local youth and women-led initiatives, connecting them with networks, and bring the demands of young farmers directly into policy discussions
06. Strengthening social safety for vulnerable populations, including orphans, people living with disabilities and the elderly
I will advocate for the establishment of a local social registry to create a comprehensive database of vulnerable households, ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most. By collaborating with development partners such as the World Bank, NGOs, and other stakeholders, I will champion the implementation of localized productive safety net programs that empower vulnerable families to achieve long-term self-reliance. I will also work to ensure that vulnerable groups—including orphans, persons living with disabilities, the elderly, and disadvantaged households—are prioritized in resource allocation and protected during subsidy reforms by leveraging relevant parliamentary committees on Social Affairs, Health, and Budget to mainstream their needs in policy and legislation. To maximize impact, I will forge strategic partnerships with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), Older Persons Associations (OPAs), and specialized NGOs to strengthen service delivery, promote inclusion, and provide the technical expertise needed to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable members of our communities.
07. Promote and expand access to affordable healthcare, including mental health and social welfare
I will champion a Primary Health Care (PHC) First approach by advocating for policies that strengthen community-level health facilities and ensure every resident has access to integrated, affordable, and essential healthcare services. Recognizing the growing youth mental health crisis, I will promote prevention and early intervention by organizing intergenerational dialogues that give young people a platform to share their experiences and help shape trusted mental health programs, particularly within schools and communities. I will also build strong partnerships with grassroots organizations led by women, youth, and persons with disabilities to expand healthcare awareness, outreach, and support services. In addition, I will prioritize maternal health by advocating for comprehensive policies, strategic partnerships, and targeted interventions to reduce preventable maternal deaths, with a special focus on addressing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), one of the leading causes of maternal mortality.
08. Champion for sustainability and a safe environment where communities equally benefit from available natural resources
I will champion **inclusive environmental governance** by creating formal platforms that ensure women, youth, and indigenous communities actively participate in environmental planning and decision-making. Recognizing that young people are key drivers of innovation and sustainable, community-led solutions, I will partner with youth networks to co-design policies, strengthen grassroots environmental initiatives, and unlock climate financing that empowers local communities to build resilience, protect natural resources, and create lasting economic opportunities.
09. Advocate for justice and social protection of the rights of women and girls under the law
I will champion the protection of the rights of women and girls by advocating for stronger legislation against gender-based violence (GBV), including female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and digital harassment, while ensuring adequate funding for shelters, hotlines, legal aid, and other essential support services. Although Kenya has made significant progress in strengthening laws that protect women, implementation remains a challenge. I will therefore push for sufficient budget allocations to ensure these laws are effectively enforced and deliver meaningful protection. In addition, I will promote gender-responsive social protection policies that recognize unpaid care work, strengthen maternity protection, and provide targeted support for women and girls. To drive lasting change, I will build strong partnerships with women's rights organizations, legal aid providers, youth networks, and community leaders, including traditional and religious leaders, to challenge harmful social norms and promote gender equality. I will also work with the National Police Service and the county's technology innovators to establish an SMS-based reporting platform for cases of gender-based violence and missing children, enabling faster response by relevant authorities. At the legislative level, I will leverage regional and international frameworks such as the Maputo Protocol, CEDAW, and the African Union Strategy for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE 2018–2028) to strengthen accountability and advocate for progressive policies. Furthermore, I will support the formation or participation in a cross-party Parliamentary Caucus on Women and Children's Rights to institutionalize coordinated advocacy and legislative action. Beyond passing laws, I believe true advocacy must ensure that legislation is fully implemented and delivers justice to those it is intended to protect. I will work closely with civil society organizations to monitor the enforcement of laws and the effectiveness of social protection programs, while using parliamentary oversight mechanisms to hold government institutions accountable. I will also advocate for increased investment in legal aid clinics, gender desks at police stations, and specialized training for judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers in handling GBV cases. Finally, I will use my platform to defend and protect women human rights defenders, activists, and journalists by speaking out against intimidation, harassment, and all forms of discrimination directed at those advancing the rights of women and girls.
10. Promote and invest in digital transformation to uplift the orange economy for every creative, especially the youth.
I will champion the digital transformation of Siaya by advocating for tax incentives that support startups in digital media, design, and content creation, creating an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. I am committed to advancing the interests of youth and women in technology by promoting policies and opportunities that increase their participation in the digital economy. Additionally, I will build strategic partnerships with leading technology organizations, innovation hubs, and development programs to accelerate Siaya's digital transformation, expand access to digital skills, create employment opportunities, and position the county as a competitive hub for technology and the creative economy.
New Era, New Expectations
Janet Onyango represents a new generation of leadership that seamlessly blends global expertise with deep grassroots commitment. Having risen from humble beginnings in Siaya to earn a Master’s and PhD in Beijing, China, she returned with a clear purpose—not simply to hold office, but to transform lives. Her experience as an educator, conservationist, entrepreneur, and community leader gives her a rare ability to connect policy with people’s everyday realities. Janet believes that leadership is measured not by promises made, but by opportunities created and lives changed. With a vision rooted in integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, she is committed to building a Siaya where every woman, every youth, every child, and every vulnerable person has the opportunity to thrive and where truly, no one is left behind.