Peter Anyang' Nyong'o
Recorded incumbent · Kisumu
At a glance
Recorded current position: Governor
Aspirant sought seat: Not listed on this office record (see interactive profile for any separate campaign)
County: Kisumu · Constituency: Not recorded · Ward: Not recorded
Party: ODM
Record updated: 2026-05-04 (record update, not independent verification).
Last verified: Not recorded.
Directory entries reflect recorded data and may be incomplete or disputed; an approval status is not evidence of independent verification.
Biography
Professor Peter Anyang' Nyong'o (born October 10, 1943) is the current Governor of Kisumu County, serving his second term after re-election in August 2022 under the ODM party. A distinguished academic-turned-politician, Prof. Nyong'o earned his PhD in Political Science from University of Chicago (1977) and taught at prestigious institutions including University of Nairobi, El Colegio de México, and Addis Ababa University. He authored several influential books on African politics including "Popular Struggles for Democracy in Africa" (1987). His political career spans over 30 years, including service as Minister for Planning and National Development (2003-2005) where he developed Kenya's Economic Recovery Strategy, Minister for Medical Services (2008-2013), and Senator for Kisumu County (2013-2017). As Governor since 2017, he has championed major healthcare infrastructure development, including transforming JOOTRH and establishing a Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. A cancer survivor himself (prostate cancer, 2011), he advocates strongly for health awareness. He is married to Dorothy Ogada Buyu Nyong'o, a public health advocate, and is father to Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o among other children. He serves as Vice President for East Africa on the UCLG Africa Executive Committee, representing pan-African local government interests.
Education
BA (First Class Honours) in Political Science and Philosophy - Makerere University (1971); MA in Political Economy/Political Science - University of Chicago (1974); PhD in Political Science - University of Chicago (1977); Alliance High School (1962-1967)
Professional experience
Distinguished Academic Career: Professor of Political Science at University of Nairobi (1977-1981), El Colegio de México (1981-1984), Addis Ababa University (1984-1986); Head of Programs at African Academy of Sciences (1987-1992). Published author of multiple books on African politics and democracy. German-African Award recipient (1995). Brundtland Senior Leadership Fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2013).
Political experience
• 2022–present: Governor, Kisumu County (re-elected, ODM) • 2017–2022: Governor, Kisumu County (first term) • 2013–2017: Senator, Kisumu County (ODM) • 2008–2013: Minister for Medical Services (Grand Coalition Government) • 2007–2013: Member of Parliament for Kisumu Rural Constituency (ODM) • Pre-2007: Secretary General, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM); academic and political theorist
Sources
Official Council of Governors database, IEBC 2022 election results [seeded 2026-05-04] parliament.go.ke (Kisumu Rural MP and Kisumu Senator records) + Kenya Gazette
Source attribution is not independent verification.