Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has unveiled his presidential ambitions for Kenya’s 2027 General Election, pledging sweeping reforms in public funds management.
Speaking on Spice FM, Omtatah criticized politicians for making grand promises without aligning with budgetary allocations, a practice he plans to eliminate under his leadership.
The senator emphasized that his administration would strictly adhere to budgetary discipline to reduce dependency on loans from domestic and international financiers.
“A president should not impose projects without verifying if they’re in the budget. The budget must be the cornerstone of governance,” Omtatah stated.
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To achieve this, he proposed restructuring the National Treasury into an independent institution managed by financial experts, separate from political influence.
“The Treasury should function like the Central Bank of Kenya, with autonomy from politicians. The Finance Minister should focus solely on policymaking, not managing public funds,” he added.
Omtatah revealed plans to form a 10-member committee to assess his candidacy, funded through his businesses. The committee will deliver its findings within 18 months, though it may report earlier.
Key pillars of his campaign include upholding the rule of law, enforcing fiscal responsibility, promoting industrialization, ensuring food security, and improving health and education. He also pledged to recover funds lost to corruption and hold graft perpetrators accountable.
Dismissing claims of being a political “messiah,” Omtatah emphasized that his candidacy is driven by ensuring Kenyans receive quality services. “My goal is to be a good citizen who advocates for a government that serves its people efficiently,” he affirmed.
