Ronald Osumba, once a rising star in Kenya’s corporate and political circles, has openly shared how his bold move into politics nearly cost him everything except his children. Born in Kibera in 1979, Osumba built an impressive career serving as senior sales manager at Safaricom and owning property, vehicles and land by the age of 30. His trajectory seemed unstoppable when, at 33, he was chosen as the running mate to Peter Kenneth in the 2013 presidential election under the Eagle Alliance banner.
However, the election defeat marked a turning point in his life. Osumba resigned from his high‑paying job to chase a political dream, only to find himself without employment and facing financial strain after the loss. He later revealed that he had lost his home, several assets and even saw his marriage falter in the aftermath of the campaign. By the age of 40, he said he had lost everything except my children, highlighting a stark contrast between his earlier successes and subsequent struggles.
During his lowest point, Osumba spoke about a period of limbo where he grappled with joblessness, personal setbacks and emotional challenges. Yet, his story didn’t end there. Encouraged by support from well wishers and industry contacts, including the late Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, he returned briefly to his former employer before taking up leadership roles in other organisations. Today, he holds positions including CEO of iGov Africa and Regional Director for East Africa at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
Osumba’s journey illustrates the unpredictable nature of public life and the resilience required to rebuild. Despite setbacks that saw him lose wealth and status, his focus on family and perseverance through adversity remains central to his narrative of recovery and hope.