Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has gazetted a precedent-setting 10-member presidential exploratory committee to analyse his chances of contesting the presidency in the 2027 general elections.
In a gazette notice, Mr Omtatah said the committee was expected to start work immediately and its tenure would end after 18 months.
“The committee shall be dissolved immediately the aspirant formally announces his candidacy or decision not to run. All activities, assets, and records will be transferred to the appropriate campaign or political entities as directed by the aspirant,” reads the notice dated November 22.
The committee's key tasks include conducting opinion polls and surveys to assess his popularity, name recognition and chances of being elected.
The team will also assess the current political landscape, including the strengths and weaknesses of potential opponents, and analyse national, regional and demographic political trends in the country. It will also assess public opinion on key issues.
The committee is made up of Mary Kathomi Riungu (chairperson), Charles Ole Kabaiku (deputy chairperson), David John Bwakali (political and grassroots strategist), Victor Kipngetich (legal adviser), Hanifa Adan (public relations strategist) and Jude Ogulla (head of analysis).
Others are Purity Ndambuki and Emmanuel Baraka (joint secretaries), Kevin Migwe Kimatu (spokesperson) and Julius Onkara (patron).
The committee, according to Mr Omtatah, is also expected to engage stakeholders on his presidential bid.
“Engage with key political stakeholders, including political party leaders, grassroots organisations, corporate bodies, civil society and influential groups. Organise meetings with potential allies, endorsers, and influencers to gauge support for the aspirant’s bid; and facilitate discussions with political analysts, think tanks, and advisors for strategic input,” read the gazette notice.
The Busia senator has also mandated the committee to prepare a high-level campaign roadmap outlining potential alliances, timelines and resources required as well as the identification and recruitment of his campaign team comprising advisers, strategists and key operational staff.
Mr Omtatah is a public interest litigation guru who rose to a Senate seat on the National Reconstruction Alliance ticket in a Raila Odinga ODM-dominated political zone.
He has taken on major public interest litigation cases, including on taxation, privatisation of key national assets and key constitutional issues, including the presidential election petitions, often willing to take them all the way to the Supreme Court.
Mr Omtatah received a warm welcome at a rally of youth protesters – mostly from the Gen Z generation – organised in Uhuru Park after weeks of protests, with talk that he had a chance to mobilise such an untapped vote.
It is estimated that at least eight million young people in this age group will be eligible to vote for the first time in 2027.
