Speaking at the Nomiya Church headquarters in Siaya, Owalo framed his departure as an "unavoidable necessity" to serve the public without the constraints of his State House role.
By distancing himself from the incumbent, he is attempting to shed the "Ruto appointee" label and rebrand as a grassroots liberator for the Nyanza region.
The core of Owalo’s strategy is a direct assault on the "political monolith" of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Luo Nyanza.
He argued that for 60 years, the region has been held captive by a single-party narrative that has prioritized political loyalty over economic progress.
By calling for political pluralism and hinting at the formation of a new regional party, Owalo is attempting to dismantle ODM’s dominance from within, offering voters a "third way" that bridges the gap between the government and the traditional opposition.
Owalo’s campaign is built on a concrete "Nyanza Development Agenda" that prioritizes economic revival over ethnic gatekeeping.
He has pledged to oversee the expansion of Kisumu International Airport, the revival of the sugar and cotton industries, and the construction of the Lake Victoria Ring Road.
By focusing on these tangible infrastructure projects, he aims to shift the regional conversation from "who we support" to "what we receive," challenging the ODM leadership to defend its development record in the region.
Speculation persists that Owalo’s "rebellion" may be a calculated deployment by President William Ruto to fragment the Nyanza voting bloc.
Analysts suggest that by running as an independent-minded candidate, Owalo can peel away voters who are dissatisfied with ODM but still hesitant to join the UDA party.
This "pincer movement" would effectively weaken the opposition's stronghold, making it easier for the Kenya Kwanza administration to negotiate with a fractured Nyanza leadership ahead of the 2027 polls.
Owalo’s entry into the presidential race has permanently altered the 2027 roadmap, forcing both the government and the opposition to recalibrate.
While critics like Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo have dismissed his bid as "hot air," the logistical scale of his launch suggests a well-funded and highly organized movement.
As Owalo prepares to unveil his new political vehicle, the "Mulembe" and "Mountain" regions are watching closely to see if his Nyanza-first model can inspire similar "revolutions" against established regional kingpins across the country.
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