Presidential Aspirant Unveils Bold Tax Reform and Digital Economy Vision
A prominent contender for the Kenyan presidency in 2027 has put forth a comprehensive and ambitious tax reform agenda, coupled with a fervent commitment to unlocking the nation’s digital potential. Eliud Owalo, speaking in a recent interview, outlined a series of sweeping tax reductions designed to alleviate the financial burden on citizens and foster a thriving digital economy.
Central to Owalo’s proposal is a significant cut to income tax, which he plans to reduce from the current 35 percent down to 20 percent. He articulated that this measure is crucial for increasing the disposable income available to Kenyan households, thereby stimulating consumer spending and boosting economic activity.
Furthermore, Owalo has pledged to slash Value Added Tax (VAT) from 16 percent to 10 percent. He identified VAT as a primary contributor to the elevated cost of living, asserting that its reduction would directly translate into lower prices for essential goods and services, offering immediate relief to consumers.
“VAT, which is a major contributor towards the high cost of living index, I’m going to reduce it instantly from 16% to 10%,” Owalo stated during the interview, emphasizing the immediacy of his intended action.
Beyond these direct tax adjustments, Owalo announced a groundbreaking plan to entirely abolish digital taxes. He posited this as a strategic imperative to empower the nation’s youth and catalyze innovation within the burgeoning digital sector.
“The digital space is one space where we have got enormous potential and opportunities to enable our youth exploit their full potential either by way of digital skilling or digital jobs and by extension they end up becoming digital entrepreneurs and I want us to go the full hog and exploit this uh to the highest level possible,” Owalo elaborated, highlighting the vast untapped potential of young Kenyans in the digital realm.
The seasoned governance consultant and strategist further underscored the transformative power of technology in public administration. He explained that the implementation of technology-driven systems can effectively plug revenue leakages, enhance transparency across government operations, and ultimately rebuild public trust in state institutions. This approach, he believes, is fundamental to good governance and efficient service delivery.
Addressing speculation surrounding his presidential bid, Owalo firmly dismissed allegations that his candidacy is intended to fragment the opposition or serve external political interests. As a former Deputy Chief of Staff to the President and Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Owalo questioned the rationale behind claims of covert alignment with the current administration.
He argued that his decision to pursue the presidency independently directly contradicts any suggestions that he is acting as a proxy for other political actors. “If I wanted to work towards 2027 elections why would I walk out of the upper echelons of government and work from outside? It just doesn’t make sense,” he stated, presenting his actions as evidence of his independent political ambitions.
Owalo has thus far positioned himself as a reform-minded candidate, with a clear focus on economic restructuring and enhancing governmental efficiency. While his policy proposals offer a compelling vision for Kenya’s future, questions surrounding his established political base and overall electoral viability are likely to remain subjects of ongoing discussion as the 2027 election cycle progresses. His emphasis on economic relief and digital empowerment aims to resonate with a broad spectrum of the electorate, seeking to build a coalition of support based on tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
