Former Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has officially declared his bid for the presidency, using his mother’s burial in Asembo to launch a sharp critique of political monopoly in Nyanza region and pledge grassroots economic empowerment.

Speaking under the banner of his People’s Prosperity Party (PPP) before hundreds of mourners and local leaders in Rarieda, Owalo called for a fundamental shift in Kenya’s economic and political architecture, arguing that national resources must be redirected from the political elite to ordinary citizens.

“This is what we need to change. We must change the paradigm so that we get money out of the chosen few the ruling elite who have been monopolizing the resources of this country and take those resources to the masses,” Owalo said, adding that support should reach fisherfolk, farmers, women in itinerant trade and youth in the jua kali sector.

Owalo outlined core pillars of his platform, promising that a PPP administration would introduce fully funded social service programmes, including free public health services in all public hospitals, free primary education and free day secondary education.

He stressed that multi-party democracy and political pluralism are essential for voters to exercise their constitutional rights, urging residents of Nyanza to champion democratic choices rather than political conformity.

The declaration drew strong backing from local leaders, including Walter Okello, patron of the Walter Okello Foundation, who commended Owalo for taking a bold step to offer alternative leadership.  

“It takes courage, vision, and commitment to take the kind of steps you have taken as the first person to declare your interest in the presidency,” Okello said. “We pray for you, we wish you well, and we thank you as the people of Asembo, Rarieda, and Siaya.”

Okello also weighed in on the evolving local political landscape, noting that while the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has historically dominated politics in the region, emerging factions including the Linda Mwananchi movement associated with Siaya Governor James Orengo underscore the need for political tolerance.

“What we want is political tolerance. Let everyone sell their policies and ideas in a peaceful and amicable environment,” Okello added.

The Asembo declaration sets the stage for a heightened contest in Siaya and the wider Western region as new political formations challenge traditional strongholds ahead of the upcoming national elections.