I was raised in Abura village, where I grew up herding my father's cattle and working on our small farm after school. During morning and evening preps at Abura Primary School, we used kerosene lamps to study and do our homework due to lack of electricity. We regularly walked either to Sori or Ndhiwa to get kerosene, because there was no petrol station nearby. It would take us a whole day just to get kerosene.

My father, a veterinary lab technician, tasked my brothers and I with taking care of his cattle and tending to the farm. Getting clean drinking water involved walking long distances, especially during the dry seasons when the only dam nearby-Yap Ochieng' was dry.

We lacked toilets, clean water and access to reliable electricity. This, not only caused serious health problems but also worsened the poverty situation in and around our village.

My parents, Bernard Ramogi Owambo and Clementina Atieno, instilled in me and my siblings the values of hard work, education and generosity. Through these values, they told us, we could get the drive, the skills and the support we needed to change our lives! Through hard work, we could put food on the table. Through education, our children could have a better future, and through generosity, we could build a healthier and prosperous community.

Today, however, Kwabwai lags behind every ward in Homabay County. Our families struggle to feed and educate their children, our youths lack jobs and our community still lacks access to basic hygiene facilities, clean water, reliable electricity and passable roads. We must urgently stop this negative trend by electing a leader who is not only visionary, but also action oriented!

I have established a vocational training institute for our youth to acquire computer, solar energy and business skills. I have drilled and installed a borehole that serves everyone from Abura to Apuoche, Rachar to Ratang'a. I've installed solar panels in different schools and health centres and provided employment to our people.

I am the candidate of the people, working to create an enabling environment where small businesses can thrive, youth and women enjoy meaningful employment and economic opportunities. I welcome your support and contributions to this vision.

Yours sincerely,

Josiah Ramogi.