Who Is Running for Migori Governor in 2027?

Ochilo Ayacko (Governor, Migori) of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was elected in 2022. He is in his first term and can seek a second on 10 August 2027. His best-known challenger as of 23 September 2026 was a fellow ODM member, Mark Nyamita (Uriri), whose "Ayacko byee" slogan has spread across the county. Peter Masara (Suna West) and former Woman Representative Pamela Odhiambo have also been named in the race.

The county and the 2022 result

Migori has eight constituencies: Rongo, Awendo, Suna East, Suna West, Uriri, Nyatike, Kuria West and Kuria East.

Ayacko took over from Okoth Obado (Governor, Migori), who had served two terms. The 2022 result:

The Star called it a tight race. Eight other candidates were on the ballot.

The challengers

Nyamita has won his seat twice on an ODM ticket. There was talk that he might leave, and he answered it by saying he is "in ODM to stay", the Nation reported. He means to fight Ayacko for the party ticket. Citizen Digital glossed his slogan as "whoever has not worked should go home", and by December 2025 The Star was calling him "a political sensation both online and offline".

Political tension between Masara and Ayacko was reported in February 2026.

Odhiambo, a former Migori Woman Representative, was named among the challengers by Citizen Digital on 25 July 2026.

The 2022 runner-up, John Pesa, ran on DAP-K, the party led by Eugene Wamalwa; see who is Eugene Wamalwa. Pesa had not announced a 2027 bid in any report we read. Citizen Digital also noted that Eddy Oketch (Senator, Migori) had not declared his plans.

Then there is Ayacko's record. A May 2026 commentary on KTMN, a Migori outlet, said that even as criticism of his administration intensified, his grip on the county's politics remained largely unrivalled. Nyamita's side argues the opposite. We found no published poll of the Migori race as of 23 September 2026.

A calmer contest, so far

Migori's politics has a history of violence. Citizen Digital's piece of 25 July 2026 found something different this time: Ayacko and Nyamita sharing platforms and arguing about performance.

"When Governor Ochilo and Nyamita stand on the same platform, they discuss the issues voters care about," the analyst Dennis Bwana told the outlet. Whether that holds through the primary season is one of the things to watch. Our guide to election violence as an offence sets out the law.

Ruto's tour and the party question

President William Ruto ended his Nyanza tour in Migori on 16 September 2026. The Nation reported that he pledged Sh700 million to upgrade Migori to a city and warned opposition figures against being used by an "angry sponsor". He also said: "in 2027 we will defeat them again by a bigger margin." Junet Mohamed (Suna East), the National Assembly Minority Leader, pledged support for the broad-based government at the same stop.

Four days before that, on 12 September 2026, the Nation reported that the government counted more than Sh220 billion of projects under way in Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori. Ayacko's campaign points to those projects; Nyamita's argues that delivery has been too slow.

Migori is also a Linda Mwananchi target. Its delegates, with Homa Bay's, endorsed James Orengo (Governor, Siaya) for president before his declaration on 28 August 2026. Linda Mwananchi had not named a Migori governor candidate by 23 September 2026.

What to watch

With Ayacko and Nyamita both in ODM, the party primary is the likeliest place for this race to be settled. The loser can switch parties or run as an independent, and both options come with deadlines; see party primaries in 2027 and what party-hopping costs. For how the county result is declared, see Form 37.