The Nomiya Church, a religious movement with an estimated five million members, has signaled its intent to play a decisive role in Kenya’s 2027 General Election—either by negotiating with presidential candidates or fronting one of its own.
Speaking during a special service at the Church’s headquarters in Oboch, Asembo, Siaya County, Mr. Eliud Owalo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, urged the Church to mobilize its youth to acquire national identity cards and register as voters once the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is reconstituted.
“Nomiya Church will be a stakeholder in the coming elections,” said Mr. Owalo. “We will either negotiate with those seeking the presidency or present our own candidate. Without the Church’s support, it will be nearly impossible to win in Luo Nyanza. Nomiya is more influential than any political movement in the region.”
Mr. Owalo was speaking at the commissioning of the Nabii Yohana Owalo Mausoleum, led by Cardinal Archbishop Moses Okech and other top church leaders.
He emphasized the importance of organized political participation, calling on the Church to take advantage of its numerical strength to influence national policy and leadership decisions.
“We are an integral stakeholder. It’s not only the political class who can be on the table where the cake of this country is being shared,” Mr. Owalo emphasized.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who represented President Dr. William Ruto as Chief Guest at the event, challenged the ODM party to unify its message and support President William Ruto’s administration.
“The goal of any political party is to form a government,” said Mr. Kingi. “ODM must not waste opportunities to influence governance. Let us not confuse the community. If you are going East, let’s go East, if you are going West, let’s go West. Your unity is the bargaining capacity now and in the future. If you decided to be in the broad based government, please let us be there. If you are not there, then we are not there.”
Mr. Kingi congratulated the Nomiya church adherents, lauding the vision of founder Johana owalo. “Charity begins at home, Owalo practised colonial resistance by teaching the truth to his followers, like wise Eliud has also embarked on empowering his own locale”, he remarked.
Likening the Kenyan politico-economic situation to a medical patient with a boil, he said Kenyans would obviously in pain react negatively to the person squeezing the boil, but eventually would appreciate the relief once the treatment is fully administered.
“President Ruto is making tough but necessary decisions for Kenya’s long-term good. Let us support this government wholeheartedly,” Mr. Kingi said.
On the development front, Mr. Owalo outlined key infrastructure and economic priorities for the Nyanza region.
These include: Extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Western Kenya; Construction of the Lake Region Ring Road; Koru-Soin and Magwagwa dam projects; Revitalization of the sugar industry; Establishment of fish processing plants along Lake Victoria; Construction of an abattoir and hides and skins factory in Migori; Potato processing plant in Kuria; Soapstone factory and agro-processing plants (tea, coffee, avocado, banana) in Kisii; Reforms in the mining sector; and revitalization of the cotton industry.
