Wamalwa: I’m ready to run for the presidency in 2027
Eugene Wamalwa, the leader of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), has announced his candidacy for the presidential race in 2027.
On Saturday, Wamalwa disclosed that the only remaining roles he has not taken on are Deputy President and President.
Nevertheless, he pointed out that given his current age, he still has the opportunity to occupy the mentioned roles.
“I believe I’m sufficiently prepared and experienced to lead this country and I have already been endorsed by my party for the presidency,” Wamalwa said during an interview on NTV
“I am in the process of preparing for my presidential beat,” he added.
Wamalwa, the former Defense Cabinet Secretary, emphasized that the DAP-K party is currently engaged in a campaign to recruit new members, aiming to enhance the party’s presence at the grassroots level.
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He mentioned that the party is planning to conduct local elections soon and will ultimately convene a national delegates gathering to officially approve his candidacy for the presidency.
Reflecting on the past, the ex-CS clarified that he had postponed his aspiration to run for the presidency since 2013. Instead, he patiently devoted his time to serving the country in different significant roles.
Referring to ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta and current President William Ruto, Wamalwa is confident that if his contemporaries could reach State House, he too can achieve the same feat.
“I believe a day is coming when my spear will also get there (State House),” he added.
In 2013, it became known that Uhuru Kenyatta initially chose Wamalwa as his vice-presidential candidate for the upcoming general elections. However, he ultimately opted for President Ruto to improve his prospects of securing the presidency.
The pair proceeded to secure victory in the fiercely contested elections, surpassing the joint ticket of Raila Odinga and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka by over 800,000 votes.
Wamalwa’s political career
The ex-Defense CS worked as a private practicing lawyer until 2003, when his brother, former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa, and Member of Parliament for Saboti, passed away.
Subsequently, Wamalwa chose to run for the Saboti parliamentary seat in the by-election as a candidate of the Republican Party of Kenya. However, he was defeated by Davies Wafula Nakitare from NARC.
During the 2007 elections, he once more competed for the Saboti parliamentary position as a member of FORD Kenya affiliated with the PNU, emerging victorious.
Wamalwa held the position of Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs until 2013, after which he expressed a desire to run for the presidency.
Nevertheless, he set aside his aspirations to endorse Musalia Mudavadi, who is currently serving as the Prime Cabinet Secretary for the Amani National Congress.
In 2015, Wamalwa was appointed by Former President Uhuru Kenyatta to be the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Water and Irrigation Services. He held this position until January 2018, when he was transferred to the Ministry of Devolution and ASAL areas.
He worked in that position for approximately three years until 2021 when he was transferred to the Ministry of Defense.
Wamlwa remained in the position until the 2022 general elections, which were secured by the Kenya Kwanza coalition led by President Ruto.
Wamalwa: I’m ready to run for the presidency in 2027