Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who has declared interest to contest for the presidency in 2027, has embarked on tours across the country aimed at listening to the people.

Allies of the Senator say the views to be gathered during the forums would help him craft a manifesto centred on the needs of Kenyans.

Over the weekend, a delegation led by Omtatah’s chairperson of the presidential exploratory committee, Ms Mary Kathome, engaged residents of Embu in a consultative forum aimed at documenting challenges affecting locals.

The committee, Kathome revealed, has been traversing counties within Mt Kenya, gathering critical issues that will inform Omtatah’s campaign blueprint.

“The Mt Kenya region forms a significant percentage of Kenya’s economy and political landscape. It is vital to document what people feel has not been addressed by the current leadership so that Omtatah can prioritize these concerns in his manifesto,” said Kathome.

So far, the team has held meetings in Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, and Kiambu, with plans to cover all counties within the region. Among the most pressing concerns raised by residents are over-taxation, the high cost of healthcare, and unfulfilled political promises.

Position himself
Duncan Onyango, a committee member, emphasized that Omtatah’s campaign will be shaped by grassroots input, in order to position himself as a leader who listens to the people. “Kenyans are suffering. We believe in a people-driven presidential bid, and that’s why no opinion will be locked out. Omtatah is a force to reckon with,” he stated.

Omtatah’s move to penetrate Mt Kenya comes at a time when the region’s political scene is undergoing a major realignment.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been rallying the region under the “one-man, one-vote, one-shilling” economic model, seeking to cement his influence.

DP Kithure Kindiki has been under pressure to consolidate votes in the Mt Kenya to buttress the chance of his boss President William Ruto’s reelection in 2027.

By making inroads into Mt Kenya this early, Omtatah is positioning himself as one who does not belong to the traditional power structures of Kenya’s politics but has a reputation for standing with the people.