Eliud Owalo’s People’s Prosperity Party (PPP) has secured full registration from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP). This clears it to field candidates in the August 10, 2027 General Election.
Owalo, a former ICT Cabinet Secretary seeking the party’s presidential ticket, says the ORPP has issued the certificate.
He says the focus now shifts to building the party at the grassroots.
What full registration allows
PPP can now present candidates for president, MP, governor and county assembly seats. Registrar John Lorionokou has said only fully registered and compliant parties may take part in elections.
PPP says it met the legal conditions, including structures in 30 counties and a Nairobi headquarters. The Political Parties Act requires 1,000 registered voters as members in more than half of the counties.
Membership must also reflect regional and ethnic diversity, gender balance and special-interest groups.
The road so far
Owalo resigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency in January 2026 after declaring his presidential ambitions.
He later left President William Ruto’s UDA party and unveiled PPP on July 8 at Ustawi House, its headquarters. He calls his campaign the “Third Liberation,” and the party’s philosophy “Distributist Social Democracy.”
His platform includes cutting personal income tax from 35 to 20 per cent and VAT on essentials from 16 to 10 per cent. He also promises to digitise public services to fight corruption.
Read Also: Eliud Owalo: Kenya’s Former ICT CS Turned 2027 Presidential Aspirant
Who is Owalo?
Owalo served as ICT Cabinet Secretary and later as Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency in President William Ruto’s administration. He resigned from that post in January
2026, the same day he declared his presidential ambitions, and later left Ruto’s UDA party.
At the July launch, he dismissed claims that he is Ruto’s “mole.” He said he is ready to work with like-minded Kenyans to change the country’s direction. He has also criticised what he calls a career political class that has led Kenya for decades.
The PPP agenda
Owalo unveiled PPP on July 8 at its headquarters, Ustawi House, under the slogan “Ustawi kwa Wote.” He calls his campaign the “Third Liberation” and the party’s philosophy “Distributist Social Democracy.”
The party’s nine-point agenda covers economic transformation, food security, universal healthcare, quality education, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, constitutional governance and shared prosperity.
He promises free basic education and healthcare. He also pledges to cut personal income tax from 35 to 20 percent and VAT on essentials from 16 to 10 percent, and to digitise public services to fight corruption.
Timeline: how PPP got here
- January 2026: Owalo declares his presidential bid and resigns as Deputy Chief of Staff.
- Mid-2026: The ORPP grants PPP provisional registration.
- July 8: Owalo unveils the party and its headquarters, Ustawi House, in Nairobi.
- July 11: He launches a membership drive, with sign-ups through the ORPP’s mobile and online platforms.
- October 2026: PPP announces it has received its certificate of full registration.
- August 10, 2027: General Election.
A crowded field
PPP joins a busy political market. Kenya had 91 fully registered parties as of January 2026. Dozens more have since won provisional registration as realignments gather pace ahead of 2027.
Money will be tight. Under the law, 70 per cent of the Political Parties Fund is shared by votes won in the previous election.
Another 15 per cent goes to special-interest candidates elected, 10 per cent to elected representatives, and 5 per cent covers ORPP administration. A new party has no past votes to claim.
What to watch
Compliance: The ORPP says registration doesn’t end a party’s duties. These include proper records, consent-based recruitment and inclusion of special-interest groups.
Money: Most Political Parties Fund money is shared by votes won in the last election, so a new party gets little public funding at first.
Alliances: It is unclear whether PPP will go it alone or join a coalition.
Nominations: Owalo has promised free and fair primaries.
FACT CHECK
Claim: PPP is fully registered.
Status: Confirmed by Owalo’s own statement and several media reports, and most importantly, the ORPP’s online register; check orpp.or.ke.