Former Kenyan Minister Eliud Owalo Challenges Ruto, Unveils Bold 2027 Presidential Bid
Nairobi, Kenya — In a surprising political move, former Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has publicly urged President William Ruto to step aside in the 2027 elections and support his presidential bid instead. Owalo framed the request as a reciprocal gesture, citing his backing of Ruto in the 2022 race.
Speaking on Chamgei FM, Owalo declared his readiness to serve a single five-year term focused solely on reviving Kenya’s struggling economy before voluntarily exiting office. His ambitious economic blueprint includes sweeping tax reforms, a forensic audit of public debt, and aggressive measures to widen the tax base.
A Radical Economic Overhaul
Owalo’s plan proposes slashing income tax from 35% to 20%, reducing VAT from 16% to 10%, and cutting corporate tax by 5%. He also pledged to eliminate digital taxes entirely—a move likely to resonate with Kenya’s tech-savvy youth.
To offset the revenue loss, Owalo aims to bring an additional 27 million Kenyans into the tax net by boosting income-generating opportunities. He also vowed to curb government waste through full digitization of public services, reducing corruption and revenue leaks.
“We must stop the hemorrhage of public funds,” Owalo said. “My administration will conduct a forensic audit of all past public debt to ensure every shilling was lawfully acquired and properly utilized.”
Free Education, Healthcare, and a Digital Revolution
Beyond fiscal reforms, Owalo’s agenda includes free primary and day secondary education in all public schools, alongside universal healthcare in government hospitals. He also envisions transforming Kenya into a digital and creative economy, creating jobs for millions of unemployed youth.
“Sports and talent will be formalized into economic sectors,” he added, positioning Kenya as Africa’s next sporting powerhouse.
Tackling Regional Inequality in the Rift Valley
Despite the Rift Valley producing two Kenyan presidents—Daniel arap Moi and William Ruto—Owalo argued the region remains economically marginalized. He cited alarming poverty rates: West Pokot (68%), Bomet (47%), Elgeyo Marakwet (44%), and Baringo (41%), far above the national average of 36%.
“The Rift Valley grows tea, maize, and produces milk, yet the wealth doesn’t stay with its people,” Owalo said. “We will change this by building local agro-processing industries, guaranteeing minimum farmer incomes, and investing in irrigation and storage.”
County-Specific Economic Boosts
- Nandi: Leverage its elite athletes and agricultural strength (tea, dairy, avocados) into a sports-driven economy.
- Baringo: Develop modern livestock processing plants and boost tourism around Lake Baringo.
- Bomet: Establish climate-resilient farming and cold storage facilities for dairy and tea.
- Kericho: End the “irony” where global tea drinkers benefit more than local farmers by creating value-added industries.
- Uasin Gishu: Transform into an agro-industrial hub, supporting its 19,000 small businesses.
- Elgeyo Marakwet: Prioritize infrastructure—roads, dams, and irrigation—to unlock farming potential.
Early Jostling for 2027
Owalo’s remarks signal an early shake-up in Kenya’s political landscape, potentially disrupting Ruto’s expected re-election bid. Analysts suggest his focus on economic equity and anti-corruption could attract disillusioned voters, though his challenge to an incumbent president remains a high-stakes gamble.
As the debate over Kenya’s future intensifies, Owalo’s bold pledges set the stage for a fiercely contested election cycle.
— Reported by Nexio News
