Gor Mahia patron and former Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency in the Office of the President, Eliud Owalo, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, marking his entry into Kenya’s high-stakes national political arena.
Owalo made the declaration during the 106th commemoration of the death of Prophet Johanna Owalo, the founder of the Nomiya Church, held at the church’s headquarters in Oboch, Kisumu County. He used the historic gathering to unveil what he described as a national, development-focused political mission.
“Come 2027, I will submit myself as a candidate for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya,” Owalo announced, presenting himself as a tested administrator, results-oriented leader, and calculated risk-taker ready to steer the country toward sustainable development.
Shortly after the announcement, Owalo resigned from his government position, clearing the path for his presidential ambitions.
The move marks a decisive political shift for Owalo, who has spent over 15 years at the center of Kenya’s political establishment, working with leaders including Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, and most recently President William Ruto.
He said his presidential bid signals a departure from personality-based politics to issue-driven leadership anchored on national delivery.
Addressing congregants and local leaders, Owalo challenged residents of Nyanza to abandon what he termed symbolic politics, urging them to embrace performance-based leadership, competitive democracy, and accountability.
Owalo currently serves as the Patron of Gor Mahia FC, Kenya’s most successful football club. A passionate supporter of local football, he has played a visible role in strengthening the club through his foundation. The Eliud Owalo Foundation financed the acquisition of a state-of-the-art team bus, making Gor Mahia one of the first local clubs to own such an asset. He has also supported the club financially, including helping secure a KSh 5 million sponsorship deal with Plascon.
During his presidential declaration, Owalo emphasized that the upgrade of Kisumu International Airport into a cargo export hub is non-negotiable if the Nyanza region is to fully participate in global trade. He argued that fish, agricultural produce, and manufactured goods should access international markets directly, rather than being routed through Nairobi.
He further outlined an aggressive industrialization agenda, proposing the establishment of processing plants for fish, livestock products, hides and skins, potatoes, avocados, tea, coffee, and soapstone. The aim, he said, is to end the export of raw materials and instead create value addition, jobs, and local wealth.
Owalo also called for the revival of the sugar, rice, and cotton industries, alongside reforms in the mining sector to ensure that host communities benefit directly from their natural resources.
Politically, he championed genuine multi-party democracy in Nyanza, warning that political monopolies undermine accountability and stifle development. He cited the 2010 Constitution as guaranteeing political diversity and competitive leadership across all regions.
The annual January 11 commemoration of Prophet Johanna Owalo’s death thus evolved into a political launchpad, blending Owalo’s spiritual heritage with a national ambition to position himself as a development-first alternative in Kenya’s 2027 presidential race.
