Eliud Owalo has declared his intention to run for the presidency in the 2027 General Election, unveiling an economic platform centred on sweeping tax reforms that he says will ease the cost of living and stimulate growth.
Owalo, who recently resigned as Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, said his decision to leave government was driven by the need to focus fully on his presidential ambition. “I resigned because I had declared my intent to run for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya in the year 2027, and my continued stay in office was no longer tenable,” he said in an interview following his exit from State House.
At the core of his campaign is a promise to sharply reduce taxes, which he argues have become punitive to workers and businesses. “If you elect me as president of the Republic of Kenya, I will bring down income tax from 35 per cent to 20 per cent, VAT from 16 per cent to 10 per cent and housing tax from 1.5 per cent to 0.5 per cent,” Owalo said. “I want to eliminate punitive taxation.”
He added that Kenya’s current tax regime has eroded disposable income and undermined investor confidence. “The first thematic area I am addressing is taxation because it has shrunk the pay slips of Kenyan workers and reduced their purchasing power,” he said, arguing that predictable and lower taxes would encourage consumption, savings and investment.
Owalo has framed his bid as part of what he calls Kenya’s “third and final liberation”, which he describes as economic emancipation. “As an agent of change, I want to lead Kenyans in the third and final liberation, which is economic liberation,” he said, noting that political independence and constitutional reform must now be matched by tangible economic gains for citizens.
Beyond taxation, he has promised to prioritise digital transformation, anti-corruption measures and job creation, particularly for the youth. He says technology and efficiency in government can help seal revenue leakages and compensate for reduced tax rates.
His entry into the race has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters argue that his technocratic background and focus on economic issues resonate with widespread public frustration over the cost of living. Critics, however, have questioned the feasibility of his proposals and whether he can mount a competitive national campaign without the backing of a major political party.
With the 2027 election still more than a year away, Owalo is among the earliest aspirants to declare his intentions, setting the stage for an intensifying debate on taxation, economic policy and leadership as Kenya’s next presidential contest takes shape.
