Mr Eliud Owalo, the former Deputy Chief of Staff, Delivery and Government Efficiency, has become the latest entrant into a growing list of presidential hopefuls seeking to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
To political commentators, this move appears to signal a vote of no confidence in his boss, while others view it as a calculated attempt to chart his own political path beyond 2027.
Daily Nation has reliably established that Mr Owalo is on the verge of forming his own political party, which he intends to use as a vehicle for his presidential bid.
Eliud Owalo addresses the media at the Nomiya Church headquarters in Oboch, Asembo, Siaya County, on January 11, 2026, shortly after announcing his intention to run for presidency in the 2027 General Election.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Those who have already declared or are widely perceived as potential challengers include Wiper Democratic Movement Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka , Rigathi Gachagua of the Democracy for the Citizens Party, Jubilee Party’s Dr Fred Matiang’i, former Chief Justice David Maraga, Eugene Wamalwa of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya and Justin Muturi of the Democratic Party.
Others are businessman Jimi Wanjigi (Safina Party), Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, and activist Boniface Mwangi.
In April 2025, during the unveiling of a mausoleum for his grandfather, Nabii Johana Owalo—the founder of the Nomiya Church, Kenya’s first African Indigenous Church established in 1907—Mr Owalo declared that the church’s 1.5 million followers across East Africa would be “on the negotiating table” and could even field a presidential candidate in 2027
Many interpreted the remarks as a veiled declaration of intent. His recent political statements have further fuelled speculation that he is building something bigger.
A close associate privy to the strategy revealed that Mr Owalo’s plan is not to wait for appointments, but to be at the table “where the cake is shared” as an equal.
“Mr Owalo will not build a party from scratch. He has identified three existing outfits which he plans to acquire and restructure to align with his vision. The acquisition process will be completed next week,” said the ally.
Mr Eliud Owalo
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Interim party officials, who include young men and women, veteran politicians, and professionals, have already been identified.
Mr Owalo has reportedly secured the support of three former governors and more than 300 elected leaders, including serving and former MPs, who have agreed to join the new party.
While the leadership is drawn from across the country, the majority hail from Nyanza and Western Kenya.
He appears to have recognised that some 'rebels' will never return to ODM, while others, disillusioned with the party, are already seeking alternative political homes to avoid nomination chaos in 2027.
“This party will give ODM a run for its money. Those dissatisfied with the two-decade-old party will find a new home, especially at a time when the influence of the Raila-led outfit is waning,” said the strategist.
Should talks between ODM and the United Democratic Alliance collapse—following the failure to implement the 10-point agenda agreed with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga or due to conditions set by ODM—Mr Owalo is positioning himself as an alternative negotiator for the region and the Luo community.
His presidential quest has also been bolstered by a series of consultative meetings held at his home in Gangu Village, Asembo, Siaya County.
Dubbed the “Asembo Caucuses,” these meetings appear to be part of a broader public mobilisation strategy.
In December 2025 holidays, several meetings reportedly endorsed him for the presidency.
The meetings followed a consistent pattern: convening high-level meetings to listen to community concerns, pledging concrete solutions and committing stakeholders to structured review cycles—while simultaneously building networks.
The engagements involved the church, professionals, teachers, councils of elders, politicians, farmers, beach management units, women groups, academia and sports personalities.
Mr Owalo is believed to have established a private secretariat equipped with high-tech communication infrastructure, including a data and call centre that manages these engagements and mines information for what is widely viewed as a political ground game for 2027.
Mr Calleb Olali, Chairman of the Central Council of Nomiya Faith Churches, said rallying behind Mr Owalo would give him a head start over other aspirants.
“We met with Owalo, who is also the church’s patron, and agreed to back him for presidency. We have always been a silent constituency, but this time we will make our voices heard through our son,” Mr Olali said.
Mr Killion Osur, who attended one of the meetings, also pledged his support.
Mr Eliud Owalo addresses congregants during a church service at the Nomiya Church headquarters in Oboch, Asembo, Siaya County, on January 11, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“Yes, we met him as sugarcane farmers, and he has also engaged the rice and cotton sectors. Given his efforts—such as pushing for debt waivers owed by sugar mills and the establishment of a sugar board—we will rally farmers to support his cause,” said Mr Osur, who is also the Secretary General of the Kenya Federation of Sugarcane Farmers.
Mr Owalo is aware that sugarcane and fishing are not merely economic activities in Nyanza, but emotive political issues capable of shaping careers.
He is anchoring his candidature on economic development and the liberation of not only the Luo community, but the entire country, from what he describes as empty political rhetoric.
His development agenda—especially for Nyanza—includes completion of the Lake Victoria Ring Road; upgrading Kisumu International Airport to global export standards; construction of the Koru-Soin and Magwagwa dams for irrigation, water security, and energy generation.
Other proposals include revitalising Kisii’s soapstone industry; reviving the fish and sugar sectors; establishing a potato processing plant and an abattoir in Kuria; reactivating the mining sector; and reviving cotton farming and agricultural production.
Mr Owalo is optimistic that the grassroots network he built while leading UDA member registration in Nyanza, the millions of Nomiya Church followers, and support from the sports fraternity will propel him to State House.
Mr Phillip Pande, a professional who has endorsed him, cited the impact of the Eliud Owalo Foundation.
“His work has directly benefited young people in sports and education, women in business, rural fisherfolk, and cane farmers. I believe he fits his ambition, and I am keen to see how this unfolds—especially without another Luo candidate on the ballot,” Mr Pande said.
Observers note that Mr Owalo appears to be borrowing from the Raila Odinga playbook: forming a political party, ensuring it has elected leaders and a strong grassroots following, and using it as leverage to negotiate political interests.
Under Section 43(5) of the Elections Act, 2011, public servants seeking elective office are required to resign at least six months before an election. While court rulings on the matter remain mixed, legal uncertainty persists—particularly regarding reinstatement should candidates fail to secure nominations.
When contacted, Mr Owalo neither confirmed nor denied the reports but said the time was ripe for a paradigm shift in Kenya’s politics.
“Kenya needs transformational leadership anchored on economic emancipation, not political rhetoric. I will issue a position statement on this within the next two weeks,” he said.
On the formation of a new political party, he added: “We need issue-based political parties aligned to the needs and aspirations of ordinary Kenyans, not the political elite. We cannot continue running a country of billionaires presiding over 50 million beggars.”
Before his current role, Mr Owalo served as Cabinet Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy before the Cabinet was dissolved following the Gen Z protests. While some colleagues were redeployed, he stepped aside to accommodate ODM experts—despite having been ranked among the best-performing ministers.
His decision to contest could therefore come as a blow to President Ruto and be interpreted as a vote of no confidence in the administration.
However, others argue that the growing list of presidential hopefuls may ultimately benefit the incumbent by fragmenting the opposition, making it easier for Dr Ruto to secure a second term should his rivals fail to unite behind a single candidate.
Mr Owalo previously served as Raila Odinga’s Head of the Presidential Campaign Secretariat and Chief Campaign Manager in 2013. He worked briefly with Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC, and has been with President Ruto since 2020.
