Busia Senator Okiya Okoiti Omtatah has set tongues wagging after hinting at his interest in contesting for the presidency against President William Ruto in the 2027 general election.
Ostensibly, pressure has been mounting on the soft-spoken senator to reveal his intentions for 2027, barely two weeks after he unveiled a presidential exploratory committee to assess his chances of beating President Ruto should he contest.
The 10-member committee, established on November 23, has an 18-month timeframe to report to Omtatah, who appears determined to go the whole hog.
Kenyans, particularly those from Western Kenya, want the first-term senator to announce his candidacy formally, even before his committee completes its work.
Those interviewed in Busia County were categorical that Omtatah has all it takes to clinch victory and lead the country, given his impressive track record as a human rights activist and leader.
“Omtatah’s track record as a human rights defender and leader speaks for itself; he is no stranger to Kenyans,” said Stephen Agola, an elder from Kwang’amor village near Omtatah’s rural home.
According to Agola, the senator, born in 1964, has always championed the rights of all Kenyans by speaking truth to the leadership.
“He is unwavering and has remained focused and active. He would always move to court to seek justice whenever the government was in the wrong.
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‘‘I strongly believe Omtatah is likely to disappoint political heavyweights in the 2027 presidential race, including the incumbent, should he become serious,” Agola told The Sunday Standard.
“I have been following his activities and actions for a long time, and as his village-mate, I am convinced he (Omtatah) means well for this country and can transform lives if elected President,” Agola added.
Most Kenyans recall the day Omtatah reclaimed 843 acres of grabbed public land at Nasewa in Matayos in August 2019, following a protracted legal battle.
The parcel of land had been earmarked for the construction of the Busia Sugar Factory in 1991 before being illegally grabbed by unscrupulous individuals and registered under a different name through fraudulent means.
Omtatah filed the case at Bungoma Law Courts on February 6, 2012, against those who grabbed the land, but had to wait for at least six years for the title deed to be revoked. This happened on July 1, 2018, when the land was reverted to the government.
Currently, the land hosts the Sh500 million Busia County Industrial Park, a project launched by then Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria in August 2023.
Omtatah, a father of four, has been a thorn in the flesh of not only President Ruto’s administration but also Busia Governor Paul Otuoma’s government.
This has made him a darling of many Kenyans who believe that counties and the national government are headed in the wrong direction, according to recent polling surveys.
Recently on a local television station, Omtatah made a joke about his missing teeth.
The senator disclosed that he has been wearing fake teeth after losing some in an attack in the city several years ago, a stark reminder of his struggles as an activist. “I am a kibogoyo,” he said.
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Silas Akatingoro, a youth from Teso South constituency, is excited about the prospects of Omtatah’s candidacy. He says Omtatah, like any other Kenyan, has the constitutional right to seek any elective seat. “We have tried and tested him as our senator. He is trustworthy, selfless, and down-to-earth.”
Akatingoro warns that Omtatah must brace for a bare-knuckle contest, given his competitors’ vast experience in politics and huge resources.
“He would have to work extra hard by traversing the country to lure the electorate and make friends everywhere to succeed,” he said.
The senator could also face rivalry in the Western region, where several politicians are planning to throw their hats into the ring.
They include DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa, veteran musician Reuben Kigame, and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, according to his supporters.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula have both said they will back President Ruto’s second-term bid.
A section of elders from Busia said the senator could be putting the cart before the horse, as he had not informed his community of his intention to run for the highest seat in the land.
Teso Council of Elders chairman Wycliffe Oprong was categorical that Omtatah has not formally informed the community about his intention to run in 2027.
“As far as I am concerned, that is hearsay, and I would not wish to comment until he (Omtatah) informs the community about his plans,” said Oprong.
“So far, we have not heard it from the horse’s mouth. We will sit down as elders, discuss, and release an official statement immediately after he (Omtatah) approaches us on behalf of the community,” he said.
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These sentiments were echoed by the representative of the King of the Iteso people (Emormor) in Kenya, Fredrick Adung’o.
“We are waiting for him to inform us because there are proper ways through which such weighty matters should be handled in the community,” said Adung’o when contacted by this reporter yesterday.
“You see, when going hunting, you must arm yourself properly, and Omtatah has to be handed the right hunting tools before setting off on his journey,” added Adung’o.
According to the representative of the Iteso Royal House, Omtatah will receive the community’s blessings and be allowed to traverse the country to endear himself to Kenyans in search of votes after revealing his plans to the Teso elders and the community as a whole.
If elected, he has vowed to address challenges in the health and education sectors.
He has also promised to tackle corruption head-on, revive the economy, and drive the implementation of the constitution.
Asked how he intends to mount and bankroll a robust campaign across the 47 counties, Omtatah said he will be counting on the support of Kenyans who believe in his agenda.
