Fearless activist and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has vowed to take on President William Ruto in the 2027 polls even as he unveiled a team to spearhead his bid.
Addressing journalists at his Upper Hill office in Nairobi on Wednesday, Omtatah said he will be on the ballot even if he is a “lone ranger” in the battle to unseat the President.
“It is a fight I’m going to take on so that in 2027, we have a free country,” the lawmaker said.
He said his resolve to unseat Ruto will not be distracted whether he gets the support of other big names in the political arena or not.
Ruto has already struck a deal with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga – a lethal force in the country’s politics.
“If like-minded people come, the more the merrier. I am not a loner, but I don’t compromise that’s why at times it appears like I am a loner. I would rather be a loner but have things move. The journey has started,” he said.
Omtatah becomes the second big name to declare interest in the presidential seat.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has also thrown his hat into the ring.
The Busia senator, a renowned public litigant, downplayed the heavy cost of running for a presidential seat, saying he would design his campaigns around the people.
“We are not going to design our campaign on money, we will design our campaign on the people,” he said.
“I saw someone saying I would need Sh7 billion (to run a successful presidential campaign). If one can spend Sh7 billion on campaigns then, something is very wrong with this country. Once we establish the link with the people by telling them what our aim to change the country is, then no amount of money can stop the people, ” Omtatah said.
He is among key figures whose names dominated social media as presidential favourites for Gen Zs during their protests in June. On Thursday, the lawmaker unveiled the team charged with spearheading his bid to dislodge Ruto.
The Senator Okiya Omtatah Okoiti’s Presidential Exploratory Committee is headed by Mary Riungu, an experienced leadership and governance expert.
Others are Charles ole Kabaiku, David John Bwakali, Hanifa Adan, Jude Ogulla and lawyer Victor Kipngetich.
Purity Ndambuki and Emmanuel Baraka are the joint secretaries to the committee whose patron is Julius Okara, a retired aeronautical engineer. Omtatah also unveiled Kevin Kimwatu as the committee’s spokesperson.
“The committee will work to eliminate any obstacles to the viability of Senator Okiya Omtatah’s candidature at the 2027 general elections,” he said.
The senator said he aims to make Kenya a modern and prosperous state by instituting economic and social reforms that will see Kenya’s per capita income grow from the current $1,900 Sh246340 to $30,000 (Sh3.8 million).
“Such an economy will see Kenya achieve food sovereignty and provide quality and accessible taxpayer-funded basic education, universal healthcare and public transport,” he said.
Omtatah said he would fully implement the constitution, including the rule of law and institute fiscal discipline to fix shaky public finances and structures, including the elimination of corruption and wastage.
He also promised to eliminate
mass poverty and unemployment
through the modernisation of the
economy.
