Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has revealed why he turns down overtures by Kenyans seeking to fund his presidential elections.

Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Omtatah stated that until he has laid down structures for receiving public money, he will not be receiving money.

“People have knocked on my door asking whether they should begin contributing, but I have said no. Until I have structures to receive public money, I cannot receive any coin. Right now, I am able to fund my activities from my pocket,” Omtatah said.

Litigious activist

The litigious activist-turned politician equally observed that there were many Kenyans willing to chip in and contribute money towards his presidential campaign of 2027.

“My friend Senator Samson Cherargei told me I need a minimum of Ksh7 billion to run a successful presidential campaign. I have not started my presidential campaign, but I am looking for relatives and friends, people who are civic republicans in this country, who want a republic that is run in a very civil way,” Omtatah noted.

“I have reached out, and these civic republicans will be able to come together. Some have money, and some do not have as much money. The goodwill is there that once I roll out the campaign, they would be able to fund,” he added.

Clean money

He underscored the need to obtain money from only those people who would not burden him with corrupt demands once he assumes the presidency.

“While money is something we know is required, we are also organizing to get clean money, which does not tie us down. There are many people who want to see this country move forward, and there is a lot of money locally,” Omtatah observed.

Omtatah’s political journey is one of a public interest litigator transitioning into a political leader. For many years, he was widely known as a fierce and relentless activist, often seen in the corridors of justice fighting against corruption and advocating for the rights of the common Kenyan.

His activism was defined by a series of high-profile court cases, where he challenged government policies and actions that he deemed unconstitutional or against the public good.