Eliud Owalo pledges nationwide audit of public debt if elected president
By Faith Lagat, June 21, 2026Presidential aspirant Eliud Owalo has pledged to initiate a comprehensive forensic audit of Kenya’s entire public debt portfolio if elected in the 2027 general elections.
He said the plan would focus on tracing borrowing, expenditure, and project implementation linked to all past and current loans.
In a post on his official X account on Saturday, June 20, 2026, Owalo stated: “My government will conduct a special financial audit regarding all past debts. In my government, if elected, we will carry out a thorough audit of all the country’s debts so that Kenyans know where the money was borrowed from, how it was used, and which projects it went to. Those who are found to have misused public resources or benefited in illegitimate ways will be held accountable according to the law.”
He said the proposal is aimed at strengthening transparency in public finance management and ensuring accountability for how borrowed funds have been utilised across government programmes.
Debt concerns and governance proposals
The pledge comes at a time of continued public concern over Kenya’s rising debt levels, delayed infrastructure projects, and pressure on public finances. Owalo, a former ICT Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency, has framed the audit proposal as part of a wider governance reform agenda.
He has previously argued that leadership challenges, rather than policy design alone, are responsible for inefficiencies in public service delivery.
In a June 5, 2026, X post, he stated: “Kenya does not lack politicians. But Kenya lacks leadership. Millions are tired of promises while struggling with the rising cost of living. The time has come for practical solutions that put the needs of ordinary Kenyans first.”
During a March 16, 2026, interview on K24 TV, Owalo cited corruption, diversion of funds, and conflicts of interest as key barriers to project completion. “The biggest problem we have in government is conflict of interest. People in government being service providers at the same time,” he said.
He also proposed reforms including full digitalisation of procurement processes, real-time monitoring systems for public projects, and automated financial tracking to enhance accountability.
Policy agenda and political positioning
Owalo resigned from government on January 11, 2026, shortly after declaring his intention to contest the presidency. He has positioned his campaign around fiscal discipline, reduced taxation, and elimination of budget deficits through controlled borrowing.
His broader policy proposals include free medical services in public hospitals, free primary and day secondary education, and strengthened enforcement of the rule of law. He has also opposed political zoning, arguing that it limits electoral competition and contradicts constitutional principles.
The debt audit proposal has emerged as a central theme in his campaign, aligning with public calls for transparency in public borrowing. Analysts note that such an audit could cover multiple administrations and potentially reshape accountability frameworks ahead of the 2027 elections.