Former Cabinet Secretary and presidential hopeful Eliud Owalo speaks on his 2027 bid, the Ruto government and his agenda for Kenya.
Why did you leave a lucrative job in government to contest the 2027 presidency?
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary actions. I left to lead Kenya’s third and final liberation—economic emancipation. The first liberation was independence; the second was multiparty democracy; the third must be economic. Everywhere I toured, Kenyans said they felt abandoned. They complained of no money and struggling to put food on the table. They wanted a technocrat manager as CEO, not legacy politicians who promise and forget. They believe my track record in governance and performance fits. So I stepped forward as an agent of necessity and change.
What’s your personal motivation?
To solve the challenges facing the common Kenyan. This is a historic moment to bring transformational leaders aligned to real problems. I believe my experience, skills, competencies and capabilities make me equal to the task.
What is your opinion on the Ruto government? Where is it failing?
The economy is not doing well. So long as people struggle to put food on the table, it is a zero-sum game. Basic inalienable rights must be addressed now. We cannot be thinking about 2060 when there are problems to fix today.
Some believe you are working with Ruto to spoil the Luo vote in 2027
That is incorrect and illogical. I openly worked with President Ruto from 2019. He appointed me as the ICT CS and later Deputy Chief of Staff. If I wanted to work with him, I would have stayed in government until 2027 and campaigned for him. I don’t play cards under the table. The era of Owalo working for other politicians is gone. I was Raila’s campaign head in 2013, worked with Mudavadi in ANC [Amani National Congress], then Ruto. I was a strategist for others. Now I want to be a strategist for Kenyans.
You appear a lone ranger. Any other opposition contenders you would consider?
I am ready to work with transformational leaders, but at the right time. Current formations are not what Kenyans will use in 2027. Real coalitions form about six months to elections. It is too early. I know all these presidential aspirants. I can tell you some can bring no real change. Coalitions built on tribes and hero-worship are outdated. Kenyans have moved on. I want new leaders aligned to people’s challenges.
What is your political stronghold?
My strongholds are farmers lacking inputs; fisherfolk exploited by agents; youth without jobs; mothers in itinerary trade without finance; and civil servants whose pay has been eroded by punitive taxes. These are the people I want to serve with a tangible transformational agenda.
What’s your agenda for Kenyans?
First, taxation, debt and corruption. I will cut income tax from 35 per cent to 20 per cent, VAT from 16 per cent to 10 per cent, corporate tax by five per cent and abolish digital tax. We must run a zero budget deficit and widen the tax bracket. We will conduct a forensic audit of public debt. If people are culpable, we will seize assets and prosecute. Corruption is the biggest cause of suffering. We will reopen mega corruption cases under the 2010 Constitution and ensure impartial investigations.
Second, digitalisation. I digitalised 22,000 government services from 350 as CS ICT, raising daily revenue from Sh60 million to Sh1 billion. We will digitalise procurement, projects and expenditure to seal leakages.
Third, education and health. We can finance free primary and day secondary education. We will re-engineer health for free services in public hospitals. I have teams of experts working on feasible proposals.
Fourth, youth opportunities. The digital and creative economy is key. We will train youth as entrepreneurs, not job-seekers. Sports is big business. We must build academies and structures from the bottom.
Fifth, equitable resource distribution. Kenya’s wealth is in the hands of about 125 people—a few trillionaires and over 50 million beggars. We will direct resources to jua kali, youth, SMEs and itinerary traders, not mega projects used to siphon funds.
Finally, the rule of law. Everybody must be equal before the law. No two sets of laws for elites and ordinary Kenyans. My government will be anchored on the constitution.
What is your political grounding and how did you transition from technocrat to politician?
I headed Raila Odinga’s 2013 presidential campaign. I ran in the Kibra by-election in 2019. I was an integral cog in Ruto’s 2022 campaign from 2019. I have experience. We have unveiled the People’s Prosperity Party, with offices in 30 counties and officials in all 47. We are building a national, issue-oriented party and engaging Kenyans at the grassroots.
Is Kenya ready for transformational leadership?
We must move from politics of individuals to politics of issues. Kenyans should elect leaders based on track record and agenda, not community, church or money.
Do you have the financial muscle for a presidential campaign?
I have been in two presidential campaigns and never seen the billions people talk about. Campaign money should be for logistics, not bribing. I will not seek resources from tenderpreneurs who would hold me captive. I will seek support from Kenyans—a vehicle, a loudspeaker, a stage. We must stop electing leaders because they have money. When you see sacks of money, ask where it comes from.
What has been your biggest lesson in politics and leadership?
Dishonesty causes a leadership deficit. Politicians don’t keep promises. I can be trusted. As CS ICT, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission found my ministry the least corrupt. My track record is there. Give me a chance.
My education and youth
I attended Oboch Primary, Maseno School, St Mary’s Yala, Kenyatta University for business and economics, and the University of Nairobi for my masters and PhD in strategic management. I came to Nairobi as a youth and lived in Kibra. Insecurity, poor sanitation and struggle for food taught me endurance and decisiveness.
Message to Kenyans
Elect me President in 2027. I am an agent of real change and the right person to lead Kenya’s third and final liberation—economic emancipation.
Two term or one term aligned?
I want a fresh term for Kenyans, anchored on transformational leadership for the good of all
