Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has firmly ruled himself out of the 2027 General Election race, putting to rest speculation that he was eyeing an elective seat, including the highly contested Homa Bay gubernatorial position.
Speaking during the Privatisation and People’s Budget Dialogue on Friday, January 16, Mbadi said his priority remains serving the country in his current role and not engaging in succession politics. He dismissed narratives suggesting his political roots in Migori would limit his chances in Homa Bay, but stressed that, regardless, he has no intention of vying for the county’s top seat.
“I was born and raised in Migori, and that should not be used to lock anyone out of leadership in Homa Bay. That said, I want to be clear that I am not interested in running for governor there,” Mbadi said.
The Homa Bay gubernatorial race is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive ahead of 2027, with incumbent Governor Gladys Wanga expected to seek a second term. However, political tensions within the county have escalated after Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga publicly declared Wanga a “one-term governor” and vowed to challenge her leadership.
Magwanga accused the county administration of mismanagement, claiming it has failed to pay contractors and sustain basic county operations. He also alleged that Wanga’s rise to power was influenced by political heavyweights, including Mama Ngina Kenyatta, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Charity Ngilu, Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i and Francis Atwoli, who he claimed pressured ODM leader Raila Odinga to back her candidacy. According to Magwanga, her bid was framed as a gender issue, forcing rival aspirants to step aside.
Separately, Mbadi addressed concerns over the 2026/2027 budget, dismissing claims that the government plans to slash education funding. He revealed that Treasury has proposed an additional Ksh150 billion allocation to the sector, with a focus on higher education and university scholarships.
The CS urged Kenyans to review the draft 2026 Budget Policy Statement and submit their views early, warning against last-minute claims of budget manipulation that have previously marred the process.