A task force formed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah to assess the viability of his presidential bid has begun collecting public opinions from residents of Western Kenya.
The team, chaired by Mary Kathomi Riungu, convened in
Nakuru County on Tuesday to gather views on whether Omtatah should run for the
country’s top office.
According to Riungu, the 10-member team has already covered nearly all Mt Kenya counties since commencing its work in January.
“We were gazetted in November last year, but we began public meetings in January. We have traversed the Mt Kenya region and are now in the western region belt,” she said.
Speaking in Nakuru during the public consultation, Riungu
noted that the task force has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with
many Kenyans calling for a change in leadership.
“Most Kenyans we have engaged want a different style of leadership. They are asking if our candidate will be different, accountable, and committed to upholding the Constitution,” she explained.
From Nakuru, Omtatah’s team will proceed to Narok, Kisii, and Nyamira counties as it continues gathering public sentiment on the senator’s presidential aspirations.
The senator established the Presidential Exploratory Committee to assess his potential to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 elections.
A renowned anti-corruption crusader, Omtatah has yet to align himself with any political camp, preferring to await the outcome of the ongoing public participation exercise.
During the committee’s unveiling, Omtatah stated that its primary objective is to gather, analyse, and evaluate information regarding his ability to mount a strong presidential campaign in the August 2027 General Election.
The committee's formation was formalised in a gazette notice dated November 22, a rare move by a Kenyan politician seeking to assess their chances before officially declaring a presidential bid.
“Pursuant to Article 129, as read together with Article 138 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, it is notified for the general public that Andrew Okiya Omtatah Okoiti, the Senator of the Republic of Kenya elected by the great people of Busia County, has established a Presidential Exploratory Committee,” the notice reads in part.
Omtatah said he made the decision after extensive consultations with trusted advisers on the best approach to addressing national concerns through bold and innovative leadership.
“We are at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, and the call to serve has never been more urgent,” he posted on X.
“The road ahead requires thoughtful preparation, and this exploratory phase is a crucial step in ensuring that our vision for the future aligns with the hopes and aspirations of Kenyans. Together, we can shape a brighter future. Thank you for your support as we embark on this journey.”
Riungu, the task force chairperson, is deputised by Charles Ole Kabaiku who also serves as the Diaspora Coordinator.
Omtatah has tasked David Bwakali to serve as the political and grassroots strategist, whose key mandate is to offer insights into political trends, and electoral dynamics, and identifying key strategic opportunities.
Victor Kipng’etich was named the committee’s legal adviser, Hanifa Adan as the Public Relations/media consultant, and Jude Ogulla the analytics lead tasked with conducting opinion polls and surveys.
Purity Ndambuki and Emmanuel Baraka serve as the Joint Secretaries.
The committee’s spokesperson is Kevin Migwe Kimwatu while Eng Julius Okara serves as the Patron to provide guidance to the committee.
