I will run for presidency in 2027, Eugene Wamalwa declares

Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa has declared interest in running for the presidency in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview with NTV on Saturday, January 13, Wamalwa dismissed the political narrative that Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula have higher chances of becoming president.

Wamalwa explained that he has served in various positions in the country and is now ready to contest for the presidency in the 2027 general elections.

“I believe I’m sufficiently prepared and experienced to lead this country and I have already been endorsed by my party for the presidency,” said Wamalwa.

“I am in the process of preparing for my presidential bid,” he added.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga (centre) speaking in the presence of other Azimio leaders during a press briefing in Nairobi on September 15, 2023. [photo/Azimio]

Wamalwa, who is also the former Defense Cabinet Secretary, explained that DAP-K has intensified membership recruitment exercise in the country to strengthen the party.

According to him, DAP-K was planning to hold party grassroots elections before holding a national delegates meeting to endorse his presidential bid.

Wamalwa added that his dream to run for presidency started in 2013 but he was waiting for the right time.

“I believe a day is coming when my spear will also get there (State House),” he stated, adding that since his peers including former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto won the presidency, he can also win in the coming elections.

For instance in 2013, political analysts revealed that Uhuru Kenyatta almost picked Wamalwa as his running mate before he settled on William Ruto.

Wamalwa, a professional lawyer, practiced law until 2003 when he joined politics after the death of his brother Kijana Wamalwa who was vice president and member of parliament for Saboti constituency.

Wamalwa first vied for the Saboti MP seat in the 2003 by-election but lost to Davies Wafula Nakitare of NARC.

He contested again for the Saboti parliamentary seat in the 2007 elections on a Ford Kenya ticket and won.

Wamalwa served as Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs up to 2013, when he showed interest in contesting for the presidency but shelved his ambitions and supported Musalia Mudavadi who was a presidential candidate in 2013.