Former Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has officially launched the People's Prosperity Party (PPP), declared his bid for the 2027 presidency and promised that, if elected, he would steer Kenya to its first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification.
Launching the party on Wednesday, Owalo outlined what he described as a transformational agenda anchored on tax reforms, economic growth, sports development, constitutionalism and the rule of law. He said Kenya needed "a fresh start" after decades of missed opportunities.
"Today, I officially announce that I intend to seek the presidency of the Republic of Kenya on the People's Prosperity Party ticket. The party nominates me as its flag bearer," Owalo said.
On sports, Owalo said his administration would prioritise investment to make Kenya more competitive beyond athletics, arguing that the country's football fortunes could be reversed.
"Under my government, Kenya will be able to qualify for the next World Cup finals. Teams we were beating the other day, like Cape Verde, are today doing well. Where did we go wrong?" he said.
He said he also wanted Kenya to qualify for major global tournaments in basketball and rugby, including the Olympics, through deliberate investment in sports infrastructure and talent development.
Among his proposals is the establishment of at least three high-altitude training centres in the Rift Valley to help athletes maximise their potential, alongside modern basketball arenas in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and other regions.
Owalo also pledged to improve the welfare of retired sportsmen and women by introducing a national medical scheme and pension programme.
"It is very sad that our sportsmen and women who gave us joy and pride during their heydays today struggle after retirement. We are going to establish a medical scheme and a pension scheme for all our retired sportsmen and women," he said.
Beyond sports, Owalo said his campaign would focus on easing the tax burden on households and businesses to stimulate economic growth and attract investment.
Among the proposals unveiled by the party are reducing the highest personal income tax rate from 35 per cent to 29 per cent, lowering Value Added Tax from 16 per cent to 10 per cent, abolishing digital tax and cutting corporate tax by five percentage points.
He said the proposed tax reforms would leave more disposable income in the hands of households, lower the cost of doing business and encourage local and foreign investment.
According to Owalo, the reforms are part of a broader economic transformation agenda aimed at expanding employment opportunities, supporting enterprise and improving Kenya's competitiveness.
He also promised to improve government efficiency, strengthen adherence to the Constitution and ensure all public affairs are conducted within the rule of law.
"Under a PPP government, it will not be business as usual. I shall offer focused and transformative leadership that is people-centred and in conformity with good governance and the rule of law," he said.
Owalo said all the reforms proposed by his party would be anchored on the Constitution, maintaining that every Kenyan should be treated equally before the law.
