Busia County senator Okiya Omtatah has told off critics dismissing his 2027 presidential bid over what they have claimed as lack of numbers.

In response to politician Fredrick Okango on Saturday, November 23, 2024, Omtatah stated that while politics has often been seen as a numbers game, he holds belief that it is also about offering new ideas and uniting Kenyans around shared values.

According to Omtatah, true change begins with challenging the status quo, which the lawmaker says he is fully committed to it.

He further urged his critics to stop dismissing him and instead join hands and work toward a future where leadership is defined by vision instead of tribal numbers.

“Dreams are indeed vital, but so is the courage to act on them. While politics has often been seen as a numbers game, I believe it’s also about offering new ideas and uniting Kenyans around shared values. True change begins with challenging the status quo, and I’m committed to that journey. Let’s work toward a future where leadership is defined by vision, not just tribal numbers,” Omtatah stated.

Okango on Omtatah’s bid

Okango had on Saturday, November 23, dismissed Omtatah’s presidential ambitions for what he termed as lack of a solid ethnic voting bloc or widespread national appeal.

Okango who has previously served as Thirdway Alliance Secretary-General and subsequently as Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition Spokesperson argued that while it was great for Omtatah to dream big, he should know that politics is a numbers game.

“It’s great to dream big, but politics is a numbers game. Okiya Omtatah’s 2027 presidential ambitions face a hard truth: without a solid ethnic voting bloc or widespread national appeal, his campaign plan risks being a noble but futile endeavor,” Okango stated.

Dreams are indeed vital, but so is the courage to act on them. While politics has often been seen as a numbers game, I believe it’s also about offering new ideas and uniting Kenyans around shared values. True change begins with challenging the status quo, and I’m committed to… https://t.co/zh6H9DO4hO

— Okiya Omtatah Okoiti (@OkiyaOmtatah) November 23, 2024

Cherargei’s take

Nandi senator Samson Cherargei had also dismissed Omtatah’s 2027 presidential bid on grounds that he needed an established voting bloc and at least Ksh7 billion to run a successful campaign.

Cheragei also argued that Omtatah needs a grass roots network that aren’t even aware of social media existence.

“To my brother and colleague senator @OkiyaOmtatah while I wish you well in your Presidential bid they are few things you need to be aware of such as to run a successful presidential campaign you need minimum of 7B ; a voting bloc that’s established; grass roots network that aren’t even aware of social media existence/hype plus to vie against H.E Ruto is a toll order who outwitted & outsmarted the government candidate Raila odinga in 2022 General elections,” Cherargei stated.

To my brother and colleague senator @OkiyaOmtatah while I wish you well in your Presidential bid they are few things you need to be aware of such as to run a successful presidential campaign you need minimum of 7B ; a voting bloc that’s established; grass roots network that…

— Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei (@scherargei) November 23, 2024

Omtatah’s 2027 presidential bid

Omtatah has announced the establishment of a Presidential Exploratory Committee to evaluate the viability of him challenging President William Ruto at the 2027 polls.

Omtatah says the committee’s chief objective is to gather, analyse, evaluate, and act on information on his capacity to challenge for the presidency in the August 2027 General Election.

The establishment of the committee is contained in a gazette notice dated November 22, 2024.

“Pursuant to Article 129, as read together with Article 138 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, it is notified for the information of the general public that Andrew Okiya Omtatah Okoiti, the Senator of the Republic of Kenya elected by the great people of Busia County, has established a Presidential Exploratory Committee,” the notice reads in part.