
If Kenyans were not familiar with the name Richard Onyonka before the year started, then 2024 was the year he became a household name.
Richard Onyonka is the Senator for Kisii County and a seasoned politician with over two decades in public service. Known for his vocal stance on national issues, Onyonka has consistently championed the development of Kisii and advocated for policies that benefit the county’s residents. His political career has included efforts to improve healthcare, infrastructure, and education in the region.
This year, he took it a step further and brought his voice to the national scale. Onyonka was one of the first government officials to raise concerns over the controversial JKIA-KETRACO Adani deals, calling for transparency into the matter.
Onyonka further went on to follow up on the matter and was involved in Senate probes into the issue, which was of national concern. Onyonka consistently, without fear or favour, confronted government officials head-on and pressured them to reveal details of the deal.
Relentlessly, Onyonka called out the government on alleged graft in various projects, voicing his concerns over procurement irregularities at the National Safety and Transport Authority (NTSA).
In his Kisii backyard, Onyonka was actively involved in addressing key issues related to accountability and governance. He publicly criticised the lack of accountability in county expenditures, particularly questioning the spending of the KSh24 billion allocated to Kisii.
Further, he voiced his disapproval of the uncollected garbage in Kisii town, which he blamed on poor governance by those responsible, thus underscoring his oversight role in county governance.
In 2024, Onyonka has frequently highlighted the frustrations of Kenyan youth regarding systemic governance failures. He has advocated for and emphasised the need for leaders to address these challenges to curb growing discontent and restore public trust.