Former President William Ruto’s Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has signalled his full entry into the 2027 presidential race, warning that an intense battle of ideas now looms for Kenya’s top political contenders.
Owalo, who resigned from government last Sunday, says the coming contest will not be about personalities but about who can genuinely transform the country.
Speaking on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the former Deputy Chief of Staff said Kenya’s next election will pit leaders with vision against those sustained by political convenience.
According to Owalo, his resignation was a calculated move aimed at freeing himself to pursue his long-held ambition of seeking the presidency for the first time. He revealed that he will soon unveil a new political party that will serve as his vehicle in the 2027 General Election.
OWN BID
“I have decided that the time has come to work for myself,” Owalo said during a local radio interview. “I have spent years using my brain to deliver leaders into office. I worked for Raila Odinga and most recently for President Ruto, whom we successfully delivered. Now, I am focused on my own bid.”
Positioning himself as a seasoned political strategist, Owalo said his decision is driven by a desire to correct what he described as deep-seated failures in governance, including corruption, conflict of interest and the exclusion of ordinary citizens from meaningful development.
He argued that while he served diligently in government, systemic obstacles prevented the full implementation of people-centred policies, particularly at the grassroots.
PUBLIC RESOURCES
“My candidacy is about righting wrongs. Corruption and vested interests have blocked projects meant to benefit wananchi. Procurement systems are sometimes hijacked, and public resources diverted to proxies,” he said.
Days after declaring his bid, Owalo disclosed that preparations are underway to launch a new political party, which he promised would be inclusive and ideologically driven, unlike existing outfits that revolve around individuals.
“We will be unveiling our party next month. For now, we are finalising logistics. This will be a transformative party, not a briefcase party,” he added.
Owalo defended his presidential ambition by pointing to his professional background, citing over two decades in the private sector, his tenure as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, and his recent role as Deputy Chief of Staff.
TRACK RECORD
“My track record speaks for itself. I am a performer and results-oriented. Opinion polls consistently ranked me among the top performers in Cabinet. I have delivered in government and outside it,” he said.
However, his entry into the race has already attracted pushback. Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and Migori Senator Eddy Oketch have publicly dismissed his bid, branding him a political non-starter.
Despite the early criticism, Owalo appears unfazed, insisting that the 2027 election will be won on ideas, competence and integrity—not political noise.
