His political journey began in 1980, when he contested for the Karachuonyo seat for the first time. That was the start of a long streak of defeats. Election after election, the results were the same — his name would be on the ballot, but he never took the oath of office.
Before joining politics, Okuome worked as an accountant for several organisations, including the Kenya Airports Authority, where he served in a senior financial role.
He also pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Maryland in the United States.
In the 2013 elections, he faced James Rege and lost again. However, Rege’s later exit from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) created a rare opening.
In 2017, when ODM conducted its nomination process for Karachuonyo, Okuome initially seemed set to miss the party ticket.
The nomination was repeated, and this time, he won against 17 competitors, breaking the losing streak that had defined his political life.
That year marked his first victory in nearly four decades. At over 80 years old, Okuome became the Member of Parliament for Karachuonyo.
The win brought hope to many who saw his journey as proof that persistence can eventually lead to success.
During his first term, Okuome put his accounting skills to use in parliamentary committees that handled financial matters.
His focus on transparency and budgeting earned him respect among colleagues and voters. In 2022, the people of Karachuonyo renewed their trust in him, re-electing him for a second term.
He now serves in the 13th Parliament as one of ODM’s veteran lawmakers and remains the oldest elected politician in his constituency’s history.
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