Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has declared his willingness to work with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua but only if their collaboration is rooted in shared ideology, not tribal affiliations. Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, Omtatah emphasized that his political alliances ahead of the 2027 General Election would be based solely on policies geared towards national transformation.
Omtatah, who has already declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027, said his primary goal is to dismantle the executive presidency and promote civic republicanism in Kenya. “I would work with him (Gachagua). Why not? But it will be on the question of the ideological framework,” Omtatah stated. “If it’s a policy framework that begins with dismantling the executive presidency, I will support anybody who helps us achieve the emancipation of Kenyans.”
The outspoken senator firmly rejected tribal politics, stressing that any collaboration would not be driven by ethnic considerations. “If we have a clear policy agreement, not an agreement of tribes. That I cannot be part of,” he added.
Omtatah also cast doubt on the direction of the United Opposition outfit, which includes Gachagua, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, ex-Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua. He argued that the opposition coalition lacks a concrete ideological framework and has so far relied on slogans such as “One term” and “Ruto must go” without presenting real policy alternatives.
He challenged both the opposition and the current administration to present well-defined, transformative policies. “I have not seen an ideology match from the Opposition camp… even President William Ruto has the United Opposition to show its policy,” Omtatah observed.
Despite his criticisms, Omtatah remains undeterred in his presidential ambitions. In November 2024, he unveiled his campaign team, vowing to push forward even as a lone ranger. “It is a fight I’m going to take on so that in 2027, we have a free country,” he said, underscoring his commitment to political reform and national emancipation.
