The announcement places him among the emerging politicians seeking to reshape Kenya’s political landscape ahead of the next national polls.
Owalo made his declaration on Sunday, January 11, 2026, during an event commemorating 106 years since the passing of his grandfather, Prophet Johanna Owalo, founder of the Nomiya Church.
Owalo made his declaration on Sunday, January 11, 2026, during an event commemorating 106 years since the passing of his grandfather, Prophet Johanna Owalo, founder of the Nomiya Church.
The ceremony was held at Oboch in Rarieda Constituency and attended by regional leaders, clergy, and Nomiya Church faithful.
In his speech, Owalo said his political journey had prepared him for the country’s highest office and that the time had come for him to transition from serving political figures to serving the wider Kenyan public.
“Come 2027, I will be submitting myself as a candidate for the purposes of the presidential race. I want to change the paradigm. I will not continue to work for political individuals, but I want to work for the Kenyan people,” he said.
In his speech, Owalo said his political journey had prepared him for the country’s highest office and that the time had come for him to transition from serving political figures to serving the wider Kenyan public.
“Come 2027, I will be submitting myself as a candidate for the purposes of the presidential race. I want to change the paradigm. I will not continue to work for political individuals, but I want to work for the Kenyan people,” he said.
Experience Across Major Political Camps
Owalo’s political career includes senior roles in three major political formations. He served as Raila Odinga’s chief campaign strategist in 2013, later joined Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC), and since 2019 has worked alongside President William Ruto, first as a consultant and later as Cabinet Secretary for ICT before joining the Office of the President.
He told attendees that his experience inside both opposition and government formations gave him insight into policy, campaign strategy, and state operations — experience he considers necessary for managing the presidency.
Owalo noted that his decision followed months of stakeholder consultation and reflection on Kenya’s economic and political direction.
Economic Message at the Center
Though he did not unveil a detailed manifesto, Owalo hinted at an agenda focused on economic transformation, innovation, and youth empowerment.
He argued that Kenya must adopt policies that expand productivity, support enterprises, and create jobs rather than relying on consumption-driven growth models.
He also suggested that Kenya’s next administration must position the country to compete globally in technology, digital trade, and regional exports while strengthening devolved economic units.
Political analysts have interpreted his early focus on economics as an attempt to appeal to young voters and middle-class constituencies who are increasingly concerned with employment, inflation, and cost-of-living pressures.
Push for Multi-Party Politics in Nyanza
A notable part of Owalo’s message was directed toward politics in Nyanza, a region that has largely aligned with a single political party for decades.
He also suggested that Kenya’s next administration must position the country to compete globally in technology, digital trade, and regional exports while strengthening devolved economic units.
Political analysts have interpreted his early focus on economics as an attempt to appeal to young voters and middle-class constituencies who are increasingly concerned with employment, inflation, and cost-of-living pressures.
Push for Multi-Party Politics in Nyanza
A notable part of Owalo’s message was directed toward politics in Nyanza, a region that has largely aligned with a single political party for decades.
Without naming any specific formations, he argued that the region must embrace political competition as provided for in the 2010 Constitution.
“We must deliberately open up the political space to allow real multi-party democracy to thrive in Nyanza just as it is thriving in other regions,” he said.
Owalo was accompanied by Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol, who has also been vocal about broadening political participation in the region.
“We must deliberately open up the political space to allow real multi-party democracy to thrive in Nyanza just as it is thriving in other regions,” he said.
Owalo was accompanied by Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol, who has also been vocal about broadening political participation in the region.
The two hinted at preparations to unveil a political party with grassroots presence in Nyanza, signaling a potential realignment ahead of 2027.